Vukovar war veteran Tihomir Purda, who was arrested last week in Bosnia and Herzegovina on a warrant issued by the Serbian judiciary, which suspects him of war crimes, is strongly against his extradition to Serbia, Purda's court appointed attorney Drazen Zubak told media on Tuesday.
"Purda did not handle well the fact that he is wanted by Serbia for the alleged war crimes and is strongly against the extradition," Zubak said.
He recalled that Purda was traumatised enough by the fact that he had once been a prisoner in Serb-run prison camps, adding that Purda did not believe that he would stand a fair trial in Serbia.
"Nobody really knows what exactly is Purda charged with and that could become clear only once Serbia delivers the necessary documentation," Zubak said.
Purda objected to his extradition to Serbia at an extradition hearing held at the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina last week, and the court ordered the launching of a regular procedure.
Purda was placed in an 18-day detention during which the Serbian judiciary is required to forward to the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina a formal extradition request with the necessary documentation.
In case it is necessary and at Serbia's specific request, the deadline for the submission of the documentation could be extended to up to 40 days, which is the maximum period that Purda can be held in custody.
"If the request is not submitted by then, Purda could be automatically released," Zubak said.
Purda is currently in a detention centre in Zenica.
Zubak said that that Purda would most probably be represented by another attorney.
