Bosnian Serbs 'lied about past'

A new mass grave of Srebrenica victims was found last month

US authorities have charged 16 people over concealing their previous service in the Bosnian Serb military when they applied for refugee status in the US.

One of the accused, Nedjo Ikonic, is alleged to have been involved in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre.

Swoops in six states led to 13 arrests - the other three are still at large.

"These cases demonstrate our resolve to identify and prosecute those who enter the US under false pretences," Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty said.

"Especially those who hide their military past."

The defendants failed to disclose their previous service in the Bosnian Serb military on immigration applications, it is alleged.

This enabled them to enter and live in the US after winning refugee status. One became a US citizen.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Assistant Secretary Julie Myers said: "ICE will not allow the United States to be a safe haven for those who failed to disclose their service in military forces that were known to commit atrocities."

Special ICE agents carried out arrests over the past week in Florida, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Colorado.

Three of the accused were still being sought, the ICE said.

The defendants face between five and 10 years in prison if found guilty.

Nedjo Ikonic is alleged to have commanded a police unit that took part in the Srebrenica massacre in which nearly 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed.