Krajiški Babo in Velika Kladuša: Convict for war crimes hopes for mayor position

Fikret Abdić, candidate of the Labour Party for mayor of this municipality, arrived in Velika Kladuša from Croatia today.

According to local portals, as well as statements from the Labour Party, headed by his daughter Elvira Abdić Jelenović, the "Krajiški Babo", former director of the economic giant Agrokomerc, could very easily become mayor of Velika Kladuša. He himself believes that he will be elected mayor, writes the Patria News Agency.

Fikret Abdić served a prison sentence in Croatia. He was released on parole in March 2012 from the prison in Pula, after serving two-thirds of his sentence, or ten years and nine months.

Abdić was convicted of war crimes committed in the Bosnian Krajina region from 1993 to 1995 and the proclamation of the so-called SAO Western Bosnia.

He was tried as a citizen of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the indictment of the BiH Prosecutor's Office, and based on the agreement between the governments of the two countries on legal assistance.

Four years ago, Abdić was welcomed in front of the prison by his supporters from Velika Kladuša, who arrived from Velika Kladuša in 32 buses and private cars.

Although there was media controversy surrounding his candidacy, the Election Law of BiH does not prevent persons who have served a prison sentence, even for war crimes, from running in elections.