Croatia arrests Tuzla Column suspect

Croatian police have arrested Muhamed Brkic, on a Serbian war crimes arrest warrant. Brkic is a suspect in the May 1992 slaying of JNA soldiers in Tuzla, Bosnia. Croatia arrests Tuzla Column suspect He was arrested on Friday at Podgora beach near Makarska. Croatian police Split directorate stated that after the arrest, Brkic was brought before an investigative judge, who placed him in extradition custody that cannot exceed 40 days. Brkic defended himself by saying that he was a victim of mistaken identity, "because the real Brkic, who was a member of local crisis headquarters during the war died three years ago". But Judge Davor Svalina did not believe him, especially because the suspect in custody had the date of birth, father's name and other essential data, matching those from the indictment. Brkic will remain in custody until documents proving identity-mix-up claim are delivered from Bosnia-Herzegovina. In case he fails to prove his claim, Serbia has 40 days to ask for his extradition. Croatian media reported that authorities in Belgrade want Brkic on trial for the massacre of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) soldiers, during their retreat from the Brcanska Malta barracks on May 15, 1992. Despite an earlier agreement with the local authorities and the garrison commander, local forces were ordered to open fire at the JNA column leaving town. 200 soldiers were killed, while 140 were injured. Sarajevo daily Dnevni Avaz wrote that Brkic was previously arrested on the same charges in June 2007 in Bosnia, but that he was released because the authorities determined that he was not in fact the person indicted.

Croatia arrests Tuzla Column suspect

He was arrested on Friday at Podgora beach near Makarska. Croatian police Split directorate stated that after the arrest, Brkić was brought before an investigative judge, who placed him in extradition custody that cannot exceed 40 days.

Brkić defended himself by saying that he was a victim of mistaken identity, "because the real Brkić, who was a member of local crisis headquarters during the war died three years ago".

But Judge Davor Svalina did not believe him, especially because the suspect in custody had the date of birth, father's name and other essential data, matching those from the indictment.

Brkić will remain in custody until documents proving identity-mix-up claim are delivered from Bosnia-Herzegovina. In case he fails to prove his claim, Serbia has 40 days to ask for his extradition.

Croatian media reported that authorities in Belgrade want Brkić on trial for the massacre of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) soldiers, during their retreat from the Brčanska Malta barracks on May 15, 1992.

Despite an earlier agreement with the local authorities and the garrison commander, local forces were ordered to open fire at the JNA column leaving town.

200 soldiers were killed, while 140 were injured.

Sarajevo daily Dnevni Avaz wrote that Brkić was previously arrested on the same charges in June 2007 in Bosnia, but that he was released because the authorities determined that he was not in fact the person indicted.