Croatian woman in Kentucky fights extradition to Europe

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A federal judge in Kentucky is weighing whether to order a Croatian woman back to Europe to face charges of murder and torture stemming from the unraveling of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

U.S. Magistrate Robert Wier heard arguments Monday over whether Bosnia has offered enough proof to have 52-year-old Azra Basic returned there.

Basic’s attorney, Patrick Nash, said there isn’t enough proof that the alleged victims were civilians or that his client committed any crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James Arehart said 26 witnesses provided statements alleging murder and torture and at least six witnesses picked Basic out of a photo lineup.

Basic had been living for several years in eastern Kentucky, where she worked at a nursing home and a food factory before her arrest in March.

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