Many Saltspring Islanders surprised to hear of war criminal in their midst
Norman Gidney
Times Colonist; With files from CH TV
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Police on Saltspring Island have been aware for months that a man convicted in absentia for torturing and killing prisoners of war in Croatia in 1991 has been living on the Gulf Island.
"One or two people on the island have become aware he's on the island" and came to the RCMP with that knowledge, said Const. Martin Beardsmore, senior constable with the Saltspring Island detachment.
Saltspring RCMP passed on information about Josip Budimcic, former ferry worker and island handyman, and were told that Ottawa is aware of his case.
Beardsmore said Budimcic's reputation hasn't exactly been a secret. "You can Google him," he said.
Type the man's name and the computer search engine returns with about a dozen references, some noting the conviction of Josip Budimcic in Croatia in 1996.
"The matter is being handled by the special investigations and hearings unit of Canadian Border Security Agency. They have been in contact with us," said Beardsmore.
RCMP haven't been asked to arrest Budimcic or keep an eye on him, he said.
"He's not come to our attention for any ill-doing on Saltspring," he said.
Asked if it's surprising that Saltspring Island might have an accused war criminal, Beardsmore replied, "Not to the police." There are numerous war criminals living elsewhere in Canada, he said.
However, some Saltspring residents expressed surprise. "War crimes?" said Tony Winston. "Like what, like genocide? You've got to be kidding."
"He's just a nice guy," said Al Friesen from the Saltspring Auto Parts store. Friesen also said that Budimcic had talked to him about his situation. "He was very quiet about it. He said there was trouble coming and that he was having trouble with employers and things were getting serious for him. It's a long distance from there to here. That's the way I'm looking at it. I can't believe it."
"I'm from Saltspring and never met the guy," said Darren Cottingham, secretary-treasurer of the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers Union. Cottingham works on the Fulford-Swartz Bay run. Budimcic was hired in May on the Long Harbour-Tsawwassen route, and was fired Aug. 22.
Budimcic has said B.C. Ferry Services claimed he misrepresented himself. He was a summer employee, hired as an assistant in the engine room.
Privacy concerns make it difficult to talk about an individual, said Cottingham, but he elaborated on what he understood about B.C. Ferry Services hiring procedures. "We understand that somewhere in the hiring process you're asked about past criminal practices," he said.
Deborah Marshall of B.C. Ferry Services, citing security reasons, wouldn't comment on Budimcic. "We just don't discuss the details," she said.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2005
Everyone is talking about this, unbelievable! deport the bastard!
Norman Gidney
Times Colonist; With files from CH TV
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Police on Saltspring Island have been aware for months that a man convicted in absentia for torturing and killing prisoners of war in Croatia in 1991 has been living on the Gulf Island.
"One or two people on the island have become aware he's on the island" and came to the RCMP with that knowledge, said Const. Martin Beardsmore, senior constable with the Saltspring Island detachment.
Saltspring RCMP passed on information about Josip Budimcic, former ferry worker and island handyman, and were told that Ottawa is aware of his case.
Beardsmore said Budimcic's reputation hasn't exactly been a secret. "You can Google him," he said.
Type the man's name and the computer search engine returns with about a dozen references, some noting the conviction of Josip Budimcic in Croatia in 1996.
"The matter is being handled by the special investigations and hearings unit of Canadian Border Security Agency. They have been in contact with us," said Beardsmore.
RCMP haven't been asked to arrest Budimcic or keep an eye on him, he said.
"He's not come to our attention for any ill-doing on Saltspring," he said.
Asked if it's surprising that Saltspring Island might have an accused war criminal, Beardsmore replied, "Not to the police." There are numerous war criminals living elsewhere in Canada, he said.
However, some Saltspring residents expressed surprise. "War crimes?" said Tony Winston. "Like what, like genocide? You've got to be kidding."
"He's just a nice guy," said Al Friesen from the Saltspring Auto Parts store. Friesen also said that Budimcic had talked to him about his situation. "He was very quiet about it. He said there was trouble coming and that he was having trouble with employers and things were getting serious for him. It's a long distance from there to here. That's the way I'm looking at it. I can't believe it."
"I'm from Saltspring and never met the guy," said Darren Cottingham, secretary-treasurer of the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers Union. Cottingham works on the Fulford-Swartz Bay run. Budimcic was hired in May on the Long Harbour-Tsawwassen route, and was fired Aug. 22.
Budimcic has said B.C. Ferry Services claimed he misrepresented himself. He was a summer employee, hired as an assistant in the engine room.
Privacy concerns make it difficult to talk about an individual, said Cottingham, but he elaborated on what he understood about B.C. Ferry Services hiring procedures. "We understand that somewhere in the hiring process you're asked about past criminal practices," he said.
Deborah Marshall of B.C. Ferry Services, citing security reasons, wouldn't comment on Budimcic. "We just don't discuss the details," she said.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2005
Everyone is talking about this, unbelievable! deport the bastard!