:D:DAlleged Bosnian Mafia Chief Arrested
created: 3/30/2005 10:31:45 PM
updated: 3/31/2005 8:37:58 AM
(KSDK) -- In St. Louis' Bevo Mill neighborhood, Bosnian is a second language, and the home to some of this area's 35,000 Bosnian immigrants. A violent chapter in their new American lives could be over.
36 year old Ahmo Dzananovic was arrested and charged with three counts of assault, stealing by coercion and attempting to steal by force.
Fatima Mehic, clutching a picture of her husband, says the Dzananovic and his associates left their mark on her husband, who claims he refused to pay 500 dollars extortion money in exchange for his safety.
Last October, police say Dzananovic also tried to extort 500 dollars from the owners of Verona coffee bar and restaurant. Owner Hasan Pasic refused, and Dzananovic allegedly crushed the bones of a customer's hand, then assaulted Pasic's wife. We tried to talk to Ahmo Dzananovic, who is out on bond, about the charges but his family had little to say.
Trusting police and the justice system in America is something new to many Bosnians. Anna Crosslin of the International Institute says great strides have been made here in the past decade. Crosslin said, "Police can be friends. Police can be adversary so one of the first things they have to learn when they arrive over here is that you really can take your problems and concerns to the police."
Mehic says her husband is still recouperating, and will cooperate with authorities prosecuting Dzananovic. His next court date is May 3.
