A man suspected of committing war crimes during the Bosnian conflict has been apprehended in Alabama, where he had been living for several decades. Known locally as a friendly neighbor who even supplied eggs to Walmart, Hamdija Alukic’s past has finally caught up with him.
Seventy-year-old Alukic was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Mobile, Alabama, in connection with the 1992 murders of two civilians, as reported by WALA-TV. The charges stem from war-related atrocities during which Alukic is alleged to have played a significant role.
According to court documents obtained by the station, one of the alleged incidents involved Alukic and other paramilitary members ambushing a car, fatally shooting the driver, and setting the vehicle on fire with a body still inside.
In another alleged act, Alukic is accused of leading an attack that resulted in two homes being set ablaze with occupants inside. A police officer later discovered the charred remains of his own father at one of the scenes, as detailed in the complaint.
Alukic eventually relocated to the rural community of Wilmer, near Mobile, where his neighbors were taken aback by the news of his alleged war crimes. “They were always cool,” a former neighbor remarked to WALA, reflecting on Alukic and his family.
They were always cool,” one former neighbor told WALA of Alukic and his family.
“They had dogs, chickens and they would sell eggs to Walmart and stuff.
I’ve been over there a few times growing up and stuff,” said the neighbor.
“That just completely blows my mind cause I never seen that coming, that’s pretty wild.”
Alukic is being held without bond in the Baldwin County jail and he faces extradition to Bosnia.
