By Kenneth F. Hunt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

ZAGREB, Croatia – A war crimes suspect alleged to have perpetrated genocide during the Srebrenica massacre during the Bosnian war was arrested April 19 crossing the border in Osijek, Croatia.

According to Bosnia and Herzegovina prosecutors, Franc Kos was part of the Tenth Reconnaissance Squad of the Republika Srpska Army during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War.

Allegedly, Mr. Kos participated in the Srebrenica massacre perpetrated against Bosnian Muslims during the Bosnian War. Some 8,000 Bosnian Muslims were killed in that notorious incident.

Mr. Kos, a Slovenian national, is the fourth member of the Tenth Reconnaissance Squad who has been arrested to date. Vlastimir Golijan, Zoran Goronja, and Stanko Savanovic were all taken into Bosnian custody in February 2008 for committing genocide at a Bosnian military base, but are yet to face trial on these charges.

The Tenth Reconnaissance Squad has a particularly nefarious record for impunity.  Dubravko Campara, the Bosnian prosecutor, claimed the Tenth Reconnaissance Squad was “the most notorious” Republika Srpska Army unit, during the recent custody extension hearing for Golijan, Goronja, and Savanovic.

Mr. Campara also hinted that efforts would continue to arrest the rest of the unit, including Mr. Kos, who was implicated by earlier testimony in front of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ITCY).

Drazen Erdemovic, a fellow Squad member, confessed to murders committed at a military base in Branjevo during the Bosnian War, and was sentenced to five years in prison.  Mr. Erdemovic also stated during his trial that Mr. Kos played a role in the Srebrenica massacre.

An international arrest warrant for Mr. Kos’ arrest was filed by Bosnia and Herzegovina soon after.

Bosnian prosecutors will now file an extradition request with Croatia in order to take custody of Mr. Kos for future impending prosecution. Slovenia and Croatia also are possible forums to prosecute Mr. Kos because he is alleged to have committed crimes against their nationals.

For more information, please see:

ASSOCIATED PRESS – Croatia arrests genocide suspect wanted in Bosnia – 20 April 2010

B92 – Srebrenica war crimes suspect arrested – 20 April 2010

BALKAN INSIGHT – Croatia Arrests Genocide Suspect Wanted by Bosnia – 20 April 2010