Federal court blocks extradition of former UN ambassador for Bosnia, accused of theft
By Larry Neumeister, APWednesday, December 9, 2009
Court: Ex-UN ambassador for Bosnia can stay in US
NEW YORK — A federal court says a U.S. citizen who served as Bosnia’s U.N. ambassador cannot be extradited to the Balkan nation.
The appeals court in Manhattan issued the ruling Wednesday in favor of Muhamed Sacirbey (SAH’-kur-bee).
He denies stealing at least $600,000 of the Bosnian government’s money. The court ruling says he has not been formally charged by a court with proper jurisdiction.
Sacirbey was ambassador to the United Nations for Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 2000. He grew up in Ohio.
A previous ruling had ordered him to Bosnia despite his claims he would be mistreated by enemies.
His lawyer did not immediately comment. The prosecutor’s spokeswoman declined to comment.
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