This article is also available in: Shqip Macedonian Bos/Hrv/Srp

Miroslav Duka with his lawyer Dejan Bodganovic. Photo: BIRN.

Former Bosnian Serb policeman Miroslav Duka did not appear to start serving his prison sentence and is now believed to be on the run, BIRN learned on Thursday.

His lawyer Dejan Bogdanovic said that he had not been in contact with his client for months and that he knew nothing about Duka absconding.

BIRN has learned that after Duka did not turn up at the prison on the date he was given to start his sentence, police could not find him at his home address and believe it is possible that he has crossed the border into Serbia.

“According to the information we have now, he had not reported to the local police station for a significant period of time, and the court was not notified,” said a judicial official under the condition of anonymity.

The appeals chamber of the Bosnian court sentenced Duka to 12 years in prison in August last year.

He was found guilty of the torture, abuse and beatings of Bosniak and Croat civilians at the police station and a student centre in Bileca. One of the prisoners died as a result of the abuse.

Duka was one of the commanders at the police station.