SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. (WWLP) - A Massachusetts man who was a Bosnian prison camp supervisor was sentenced to prison for concealing his involvement in wartime persecution. In a news release from the Department of Justice in Boston, 52-year-old Kemal Mrndzic of Swampscott was sentenced on Wednesday for a 25-year scheme to conceal his persecution of ethnic Serbs during the Bosnian War as well as making false claims to become a refugee to the United States and ultimately a United States citizen. Springfield police cruiser hit by gunfire, suspects arrested following chase Mrndzic was a guard supervisor at Celebici prison camp in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the sectarian war in the 1990s. Twenty-one former detainees said he was known for his vicious treatment of prisoners. He participated in the systematic and pervasive brutal torture and deprivation of basic human needs of hundreds of captive victims, some of whom were elderly. During an investigation by the United Nations in 1996, two top commanders were convicted for crimes including murder and torture. While international authorities did not charge Mrndzic, he concocted a scheme to leave Bosnia by crossing the border into Croatia and applying as a refugee to the United States using a fabricated story. In 1999, Mrndzic was admitted to the U.S. as a refugee and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2009. In October 2024, Mrndzic was convicted by a federal jury for the following: Engaging in a scheme to conceal his involvement in the persecution of Serb prisoners at the notorious Celebici prison camp in Bosnia in 1992 Making a false statement to federal agents about his role at the camp Possessing a fraudulently obtained naturalization certificate and Social Security card Using a fraudulently obtained passport and certificate of naturalization Many prison survivors have since become U.S. citizens and have helped the investigation and during the trial by providing testimony and submitting moving victim impact statements. During his trial, camp survivors testified, recounting the murders, sexual abuse, and torture, including being starved and deprived of the most basic needs. He was sentenced to 65 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. “For over two decades, Mr. Mrndzic evaded accountability for his participation in the persecution and torture of countless victims at the camp. By holding him accountable for his lies and fraudulent conduct, this sentence reinforces our resolve to ensure that those responsible for war crimes and human rights abuses are identified, exposed, and prosecuted. This case underscores that we will not allow our nation to be a refuge for those who seek to escape justice,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “The government will be working to ensure that his fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship is revoked.”  “Through the brave testimony of the survivors of the Celebici prison camp, the persecution Mrndzic attempted to conceal was finally brought to light after over 30 years. Though we can never undo what the survivors endured, I hope this sentence brings some measure of justice, no matter how long delayed,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, New England. “HSI remains tireless in our effort to pursue war criminals and human rights violators who attempt to evade justice.” Local News Headlines Railroad Hobby Show returns to West Springfield Driver struck building on Sumner Ave in Springfield Massachusetts officers served as security during Trump’s inauguration Convicted rapist arrested 35 years later in Ware WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.