The United States Embassy applauds the State Investigation and Protection Agency on yesterday’s operation against eleven persons suspected of involvement in terrorist activities. This operation was the result of hard investigative work by SIPA and the Intelligence and Security Agency, working closely together. We urge the Prosecutor’s Office to pursue such cases rigorously, and all Government of BiH institutions to continue their efforts against terrorism and foreign fighters in accordance with applicable laws and international obligations, including UN Security Council Resolution 2178.
As U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder recently noted, with support from the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Department of Justice places federal prosecutors and senior law enforcement advisors to reside in countries around the world, to include BiH, in response to requests from those countries to build their capacity to respond to transnational crime and terrorism, in accordance with UN and other international standards.
In the Balkans, DOJ will be placing a Counterterrorism Resident Legal Advisor in our Embassy in Tirana, Albania, with regional responsibility to help partner nations strengthen Foreign Terrorist Fighter legislation and to build the capacity of Balkan investigators and prosecutors under that legislation.
The goal in all these efforts is to work in partnership with countries like BiH to build the capacity to respond to Foreign Terrorist Fighters within the rule of law – so that together we can use criminal justice processes to stop the flow of terrorist fighters into conflict regions, stem the tide of violence, and aggressively combat violent extremism.
As President Obama noted at the United Nations on September 24, those who are committed to this urgent work will find a strong and steady partner in the United States of America.
ST
