Danijel Grubač from Kneževo, who was previously identified by Radio Free Europe as a person who fought on Russia’s side in Ukraine, was arrested on July 21 in Kneževo, near Banja Luka, on suspicion of multiple criminal offenses.
Grubač is the person identified by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska with the initials D.G. in a statement issued on July 22. According to the ministry, he is suspected of endangering security, unauthorized production and trafficking of narcotics, as well as illegal possession and trafficking of weapons or explosive materials.
Police intervened after a report that Grubač had threatened a person in Kneževo with a firearm. According to unofficial information obtained by Radio Free Europe, the report was filed by his uncle, who stated that Grubač had threatened him and that he felt endangered.
During a search of Grubač’s home, police seized an automatic rifle, a pistol, 182 rounds of ammunition, 177 plants suspected to be cannabis, as well as land prepared for further cultivation.
Three Serbian citizens were also arrested along with him on suspicion of unauthorized production and trafficking of narcotics.
According to official data from the Ukrainian project “I Want to Live”, which operates with the support of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and Military Intelligence Service, Danijel Grubač is among around 20 people from Bosnia and Herzegovina who have fought or are allegedly fighting in the ranks of the Russian military against Ukraine.
According to the same Ukrainian project, Grubač (born June 8, 1993) is listed as a junior sergeant in the Russian Armed Forces.
Radio Free Europe reported that Grubač has frequently stayed in Serbia and allegedly traveled from there to Russia and to war-affected areas of Ukraine.
His arrest has once again drawn attention to individuals from the Western Balkans who have joined Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, as well as to the networks and connections involving Serbia and the region.
Radio Free Europe has sent inquiries to the District Prosecutor’s Office in Banja Luka and the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding the status of any criminal proceedings against Grubač.
The Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina previously said it could not provide additional information about Grubač, while Radio Free Europe reported having unofficial intelligence sources in Bosnia and Herzegovina claiming that he had joined the Russian military.
