Ex-Connecticut Resident Lied to Gain U.S. Citizenship Over War Crimes

This case shines a spotlight on a startling example of immigration fraud and human rights violations that have made their way into Connecticut’s legal system.

Nada Radovan Tomanic, a 53-year-old resident of Hartford, has admitted in federal court to lying in order to obtain U.S. citizenship. Her past as a member of the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina — and her alleged participation in abuse during the Bosnian conflict — adds a chilling layer to a case that intertwines war crimes and immigration law.

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From Bosnia’s Battlefields to Connecticut’s Courts

During the brutal war that gripped Bosnia in the 1990s, prosecutors say Tomanic took part in the physical and psychological abuse of Bosnian Serb civilians held in detention.

These allegations stem from her time as a member of the Zulfikar Special Unit, an elite faction active during the conflict.

A Quiet Life in Hartford Ends With a Federal Prosecution

After the war, Tomanic eventually settled in Hartford. By 2012, she sought U.S. citizenship, but prosecutors say she falsified key details on her application.

She allegedly denied any involvement in operating detention facilities, participating in crimes, or engaging in abuse. These false statements came up again under oath during an interview with officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Federal Charges and Impending Sentencing

Tomanic pleaded guilty in Bridgeport to one count of procuring citizenship contrary to law. This charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in a federal prison.

Her sentencing date is set for February 3, 2026 — a hearing closely watched by communities across Connecticut, including cities like New Haven, Stamford, and Waterbury.

Condemnation From Federal Leaders

Interim U.S. Attorney David Sullivan called her actions an “egregious attempt to conceal human rights abuses.” Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti echoed this, warning that Tomanic’s lies weren’t just procedural violations, but calculated steps to hide a violent history.

FBI and International Cooperation

FBI Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien issued a strong rebuke, describing her fraud as “detestable.” He pointed to her past targeting of individuals based on ethnicity and religion as profoundly intolerable in any society, especially one that values human rights.

A Joint Investigation Across Borders

This case came together through significant cooperation between agencies. The FBI teamed up with the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, USCIS, and Bosnian authorities.

Together, they pieced together evidence spanning decades and continents to bring the charges forward.

Impact on Connecticut Communities

The case reverberates across Connecticut towns and cities — from Hartford to Bridgeport, New Britain to Norwalk — sparking conversations about how war crimes abroad can have ripple effects here at home.

Many residents in places like Greenwich and Middletown are now asking how federal immigration vetting can be strengthened to detect similar cases before citizenship is granted. It’s a tough question, honestly.

Immigration Screening in Focus

Cases like this highlight the need for rigorous screening and interagency cooperation when evaluating applicants for permanent residency or citizenship.

Connecticut’s diverse population includes thousands of immigrants from conflict zones, making vigilance all the more important.

Key Takeaways

Tomanic still waits for sentencing. Her guilty plea sends a pretty clear message: federal authorities aren’t messing around when it comes to immigration fraud linked to human rights violations.

Immigration deception can bring serious criminal penalties.
Authorities treat war crimes allegations with real gravity, even decades later.
International cooperation really matters when it comes to exposing hidden histories.
Connecticut’s federal courts have a big part in prosecuting these cases.

People across Connecticut—from Danbury to New London—are seeing more focus on tracking down old crimes connected to immigration paperwork. With sentencing coming up in February, this case keeps grabbing attention and makes you wonder about the ties between local justice and global human rights.

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Here is the source article for this story: Former Connecticut woman who committed war crimes in Bosnia lied to become US citizen

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