US extradition request shocks defense team as Mevlid Jasarevic faces end of 15-year prison sentence

An extradition hearing was held Tuesday at the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Mevlid Jasarevic following a request by the United States for his handover as he completes his 15-year prison sentence, aiming to try him for attempted murder of US officials and employees during his 2011 shooting attack on the US Embassy in Sarajevo. Jasarevic's defense team condemned the US request as a political persecution strategically timed to coincide with his scheduled release date. Jasarevic was slated to be freed this week after serving his full sentence for terrorism, stemming from his automated rifle attack on the US Embassy on October 28, 2011. Notably, the Court acquitted Jasarevic on Monday in a first-instance verdict regarding allegations that he threatened staff and attempted to obstruct official duties at the State Prison in Vojkovici. Immediately following that acquittal, the US Embassy formally requested his extradition based on a 2012 indictment. Appearing at the hearing, a visibly devastated Jasrevic expressed his anguish over the sudden request, stating that he had expected to reunite with his wife and son today.