USA

US Charges Bosnian Muslim Immigrant With Lying About War Crimes

In this photo provided by ICE Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. immigration officials arrest Edin Sakoc, a Bosnian Muslim, and charge him with lying to U.S. immigration officials about involvement in war crimes, in Burlington, Vermont, July 26, 2013.

Federal prosecutors have charged a Bosnian Muslim with lying to U.S. immigration officials about involvement in war crimes.

Edin Sakoc pleaded not guilty Friday during a brief court appearance in Burlington, Vermont, in the northeastern U.S. The judge ordered him to surrender his passport.

U.S. authorities allege Sakoc took part in the murders of two elderly Bosnian Serb women and burned down their house during the Bosnian civil war in July, 1992. He also allegedly raped the Bosnian Serb woman who was caring for the two.

Authorities say Sakoc hid this information when he sought U.S. citizenship.

If convicted of lying to immigration officials, Sakoc faces up to 10 years in prison, a large fine, and his U.S. citizenship would be revoked.