A 79‑year‑old Serbian‑Canadian citizen, Zivko Z., was detained Thursday by Polish border guards at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport after a European Arrest Warrant issued by Croatia for alleged 1991 war crimes.
Detention at Chopin Airport
Zivko Z. was stopped by police at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport on 16 October. They held him on a European Arrest Warrant that had been issued by Croatian authorities.
Allegations of 1991 War Crimes
The warrant accuses the man of serving as a political commissioner for the Bilogorski Brigade and of ordering or participating in acts of torture, murder, and property destruction against civilians in the village of Velika Peratovica.
Paramilitary Activities in Croatia
He is also charged with kidnapping eight civilians, imprisoning them in a makeshift facility where they were tortured, and shooting one while fleeing, all actions that violate international humanitarian law.
Legal Proceedings in Poland
Under Croatian law he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison; under Polish law he could be sentenced to 5–25 years. He was questioned by the Warsaw County Prosecutor’s Office and did not admit to the alleged crimes.
Pending Transfer and Temporary Detention
A seven‑day temporary arrest has been imposed and the prosecutor has requested the transfer of the case to the District Court under the European Arrest Warrant and a request to extend the temporary detention.
