A Connecticut federal court sentenced Nada Radovan Tomanić, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, to 30 months in prison on Apr. 9 for naturalization fraud based on false statements about her past involvement in war crimes.
The case highlights the importance of honesty in the immigration process and demonstrates that individuals who commit human rights violations abroad can be held accountable if they attempt to hide their past when seeking U.S. citizenship.
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, Tomanić, now 53 and residing in West Virginia, served with the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the conflict in the region in the 1990s. She participated with other soldiers in abusing Bosnian Serb civilian prisoners through torture and other acts considered war crimes.
When applying for naturalization in Hartford in 2012, Tomanić denied having served at a detention facility or committed any crime for which she had not been arrested. These denials were repeated under oath during her interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said, “The defendant tortured and abused prisoners in Bosnia and then lied to U.S. immigration authorities to live in the U.S. and become a citizen… Thanks to the courage of the victims, and the diligence and dedication of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, the defendant has been held accountable for exploiting our immigration system.”
U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan said, “I sincerely appreciate the investigative work of our law enforcement partners both here in the U.S. and in Bosnia who have disregarded the passage of decades to ensure that justice is served.”
Special Agent P.J. O’Brien stated that Tomanić’s violent history came out over time: “Over the course of this investigation Tomanić’s violent history of targeting people based on their ethnicity and religion came to light… The FBI… will continue to investigate crimes of this nature…”
Tomanić pleaded guilty on Nov. 10, 2025, admitting she unlawfully procured citizenship by concealing her actions overseas.
The investigation involved cooperation between multiple agencies including FBI offices both domestic and international; Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators Center; U.S Citizenship & Immigration Services; authorities from Bosnia & Herzegovina; Serbian officials; as well as United Nations bodies.
Members of public are encouraged by authorities to report information about human rights violators living within United States through official tip lines.
