Former CT Resident Pleads Guilty to Lying About War Crimes

BREAKING: A former Connecticut resident has admitted to lying about her involvement in war crimes to secure U.S. citizenship. Nada Radovan Tomanic, 53, formerly from Hartford and now residing in West Virginia, entered a guilty plea in federal court on Monday, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

This urgent development raises serious questions about immigration integrity and public safety. Tomanic, a naturalized citizen from Bosnia and Herzegovina, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison after being charged with procuring citizenship contrary to law. She is scheduled for sentencing on February 3, 2024.

Federal officials report that Tomanic served with the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 1990s, a period marked by violent conflict. She has been accused of participating in the “physical and psychological abuse” of Bosnian Serb civilian prisoners. Despite this, Tomanic denied any involvement in her 2012 naturalization application, claiming she had never served in a detention facility nor committed any crimes.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office highlighted that Tomanic falsely claimed to have no record of serious bodily harm, a serious violation of immigration law. “The defendant obtained the privileges of U.S. citizenship through lies and deceit, concealing the violent crimes she committed,” stated Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti.

During her interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, Tomanic repeated these lies under oath. “Covering up past human rights abuses to attain U.S. citizenship is an egregious offense,” said U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan. He praised the collaborative investigation efforts between U.S. and Bosnian authorities to ensure justice.

The shocking nature of these admissions struck a chord with officials. “Individuals who lie on their naturalization documents undermine the process for all who justly apply to be a part of our great nation,” remarked Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien of the FBI. Tomanic’s actions have been branded detestable due to her history of targeting individuals based on ethnicity and religion.

This case serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the U.S. immigration system. The FBI, in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, continues to investigate such serious offenses to protect the sanctity of the naturalization process.

As this story develops, the implications for national security and immigration policy are profound. The outcome of Tomanic’s sentencing will be closely monitored, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in immigration matters.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.