The prosecution filed an indictment against him in early February, but the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina did not accept it because Ristić obtained Russian citizenship during his stay in that country, reports Radio Free Europe.
The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina is now requesting a supplement to the indictment to clarify whether Ristić fought before or after acquiring Russian citizenship. This makes a significant difference, as there is a problem in prosecuting individuals who also hold legal citizenship of the country for which they are fighting.
Ristić was arrested in September 2025 at Sarajevo Airport upon returning home. During the war in Russia, he lost a leg and was active in the "Perm Bears" formation, publicly sharing his wartime activities. However, he entered Sarajevo Airport as a free man after two years in Russia.
He spent a month in custody in Bosnia and Herzegovina before being released in October 2025 to defend himself while free. Since then, prosecutors have been attempting to formulate an indictment against Ristić, who was clearly on the battlefield, but the question remains whether he was there as a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina or as a citizen of Russia.
Chief State Prosecutor Milanko Kajganić explained that to prosecute individuals who are both our and Russian citizens, evidence is needed showing they joined a foreign army before becoming Russian citizens. However, he claims prosecutors currently lack such evidence.
Kajganić also announced the possibility of initiating a legal amendment through the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regarding the acquisition of citizenship, "to prevent individuals from joining war zones and to enable their prosecution if they do so."
Adding to the absurdity of this case, Ristić's defense has repeatedly told Radio Free Europe that they will voluntarily plead guilty to the criminal offense of joining foreign military formations, but a conviction cannot be reached due to the inability to file an indictment.