Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SARAJEVO786
2009-07-01 14:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sarajevo
Cable title:
BOSNIA - CANTONAL COURT CONVICTS NOTORIOUS MAFIA
how-toVZCZCXRO3875 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHVJ #0786 1821404 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 011404Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0418 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JCS WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000786
SIPDIS
EUR (FOOKS),INL (CARROLL),EUR/ACE (KEETON); DOJ FOR OPDAT
(ALEXANDRE)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KCRM KDEM BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA - CANTONAL COURT CONVICTS NOTORIOUS MAFIA
BOSS, SEVEN ASSOCIATES
UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000786
SIPDIS
EUR (FOOKS),INL (CARROLL),EUR/ACE (KEETON); DOJ FOR OPDAT
(ALEXANDRE)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KCRM KDEM BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA - CANTONAL COURT CONVICTS NOTORIOUS MAFIA
BOSS, SEVEN ASSOCIATES
1. (U) The Sarajevo Cantonal Court's June 23 decision to
convict notorious mafia boss Muhammed Ali Gasi continues to
elicit favorable commentary. Gasi, along with his brother,
and six associates, were convicted on organized crime-related
charges, including extortion, illegal property purchases, and
illegal construction. The men received a collective prison
sentence of 42.5 years, with Gasi receiving a twenty year
sentence while his brother and other co-defendants received
sentences ranging from 1 year to 6.5 years. Notably, this
was the first time that a cantonal court forfeited property
in a case. Moreover, both the judge and the prosecutor in
the case had participated in OPDAT-sponsored activities,
including a seminar on asset forfeiture.
2. (U) The highly-anticipated verdict received significant
press coverage for days. Many media outlets portrayed the
court decision as a win for the rule of law in Bosnia. A
Federation Television (FTV) journalist who commented on the
case over the weekend, sums up reactions best by noting that
as a result of the verdict, the week of June 22 was a week in
which "the rule of law appeared" and in which "murderers,
pimps, racketeers, and brutes" are no longer considered
"street heroes."
3. (U) Comment: Though we can not predict what will happen
in the appeals process, the Gasi case is a much-needed
high-profile example of the judiciary making good on its
mandate to deliver justice. Gasi is a particularly notorious
criminal who inspired fear in the hearts of many. The
verdict in his case helps boost public confidence in the
judiciary and beat back criticism from politicians --
temporarily. The judiciary will need to follow up with a
string of other high-profile wins soon if it hopes to effect
a sea change in public opinion and to garner broad political
support for its work
ENGLISH
SIPDIS
EUR (FOOKS),INL (CARROLL),EUR/ACE (KEETON); DOJ FOR OPDAT
(ALEXANDRE)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KCRM KDEM BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA - CANTONAL COURT CONVICTS NOTORIOUS MAFIA
BOSS, SEVEN ASSOCIATES
1. (U) The Sarajevo Cantonal Court's June 23 decision to
convict notorious mafia boss Muhammed Ali Gasi continues to
elicit favorable commentary. Gasi, along with his brother,
and six associates, were convicted on organized crime-related
charges, including extortion, illegal property purchases, and
illegal construction. The men received a collective prison
sentence of 42.5 years, with Gasi receiving a twenty year
sentence while his brother and other co-defendants received
sentences ranging from 1 year to 6.5 years. Notably, this
was the first time that a cantonal court forfeited property
in a case. Moreover, both the judge and the prosecutor in
the case had participated in OPDAT-sponsored activities,
including a seminar on asset forfeiture.
2. (U) The highly-anticipated verdict received significant
press coverage for days. Many media outlets portrayed the
court decision as a win for the rule of law in Bosnia. A
Federation Television (FTV) journalist who commented on the
case over the weekend, sums up reactions best by noting that
as a result of the verdict, the week of June 22 was a week in
which "the rule of law appeared" and in which "murderers,
pimps, racketeers, and brutes" are no longer considered
"street heroes."
3. (U) Comment: Though we can not predict what will happen
in the appeals process, the Gasi case is a much-needed
high-profile example of the judiciary making good on its
mandate to deliver justice. Gasi is a particularly notorious
criminal who inspired fear in the hearts of many. The
verdict in his case helps boost public confidence in the
judiciary and beat back criticism from politicians --
temporarily. The judiciary will need to follow up with a
string of other high-profile wins soon if it hopes to effect
a sea change in public opinion and to garner broad political
support for its work
ENGLISH