CLEVELAND, OH — Jugoslav Vidić, a Croatian war criminal residing in Parma Heights, Ohio, has been sentenced to three years in prison for immigration fraud after lying about his involvement in war crimes when he immigrated to the United States. The 56-year-old will also face deportation following the conclusion of his sentence.
Vidić was sentenced on Tuesday, October 15, for concealing his criminal history in order to obtain legal permanent residency in the U.S. The sentencing was part of an effort by federal authorities to identify and prosecute individuals who hide their war crimes and enter the U.S. under false pretenses.
“Jugoslav Vidić knowingly concealed his past in order to enjoy the freedoms and liberties of the United States for more than two and a half decades,” said Greg Nelsen, FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge. “Tuesday’s sentence sends a clear message that those who have taken part in war crimes, regardless of where or when they occurred, will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted.”
War Crime and False Immigration Claims
Vidić, born in Croatia in 1968, served as a specially trained officer for ethnic Serbs during the Croatian War of Independence, a brutal conflict that raged from 1991 to 1995, following Croatia’s declaration of independence from Yugoslavia. According to court documents, Vidić worked at a meat-processing plant in Petrinja, a town in central Croatia, when the war began.
In August 1991, the Croatian President at the time, Franjo Tudjman, visited the plant and was seen on television shaking hands with Stjepan Komes, one of the factory workers. Soon after, ethnic Serb military forces opposing Croatian independence attacked the town and seized the plant.
During the attack, Vidić allegedly escorted Komes at gunpoint from a group of detained workers. Komes was never seen alive again. His body was later discovered in a mass grave in Petrinja, and it was Komes’ children who identified the remains. According to the criminal complaint, authorities accused Vidić of cutting off Komes’ arm during the incident, which ultimately led to his death.
In 1994, Vidić was charged with Komes’ murder in a Croatian court, and in 1998, he was convicted of the crime in absentia, meaning he was not present for the trial.
Immigration to the U.S. and Deception
Vidić fled Croatia during the war and immigrated to the U.S. in 1999, claiming refugee status. However, prosecutors argued that he lied about his military history and his participation in politically motivated violence during the immigration process. Vidić allegedly concealed these facts when questioned by U.S. immigration officials in Romania, where he applied for asylum.
Over the years, as Vidić sought permanent residency in the U.S., he continued to lie about his past. He falsely stated that he had no military experience and denied involvement in any ethnic or politically motivated killings. His lies went undetected for years, and in 2000, Vidić became a lawful permanent U.S. resident. His green card application was approved in 2005, allowing him to live and work in the country legally.
Despite his conviction for war crimes in Croatia, Vidić managed to evade detection by U.S. authorities until an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uncovered his deceit. In 2017, DHS investigators interviewed Vidić at his home in North Royalton, Ohio, where he continued to lie about his involvement in war crimes.
A Federal Investigation and Sentencing
Vidić’s fraudulent actions eventually caught the attention of federal authorities. The investigation, which involved the FBI, DHS, and other international partners, revealed the full extent of his deception. Vidić was arrested and charged with immigration fraud for using false statements to obtain legal residency.
“Vidić committed serious human rights violations and was convicted of war crimes in Croatia,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko in a press release following the sentencing. “Yet, he lied to U.S. immigration officials about his conviction and his participation in a violent military force to claim refugee status and obtain a green card. He became a permanent legal resident of our country when he was not eligible to do so.”
Lutzko emphasized that Vidić’s actions not only allowed him to live in the U.S. but also deprived legitimate refugees fleeing harm of their chance for safety. “His deceitful actions are detestable and unfairly hurt people in need who legitimately seek refuge to flee real harms in their home countries,” she added.
Vidić ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of possessing an alien registration card that had been obtained through false statements. In his plea agreement, he admitted to the war crime charge in 1994 and his subsequent conviction in 1998. He also agreed to be deported after serving his prison sentence.
No Safe Haven for War Criminals
The sentencing marks an important milestone in the U.S. government’s efforts to ensure that war criminals are not allowed to find safe haven within its borders. U.S. authorities made it clear that Vidić’s actions, although they occurred decades ago, would not be overlooked.
“Our communities here in Ohio and across the U.S. are not safe havens for war criminals to escape accountability in their home countries,” said Katrina Berger, Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “It is my hope that this sentencing provides some measure of solace to the victims’ families with the knowledge that despite the passage of time, the U.S. will seek justice.”
Vidić’s case is a stark reminder of the importance of thorough background checks in immigration processes, especially for individuals seeking asylum or refugee status. Authorities stressed the need for international cooperation in identifying and prosecuting individuals involved in war crimes.
Conclusion
Jugoslav Vidić’s case highlights the U.S. government’s determination to bring war criminals to justice, no matter how much time has passed since their crimes were committed. For over two decades, Vidić enjoyed the freedoms of the U.S. while concealing his violent past. However, his lies eventually caught up with him, and justice prevailed.
Vidić’s prison sentence and impending deportation serve as a warning to those who believe they can escape justice by hiding their war crimes and fleeing to foreign countries. Through the efforts of federal agencies and international cooperation, such individuals will be held accountable for their actions, regardless of how long they have been able to evade the law.
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