There are two known reasons why Nedjeljko was not sentenced to 40 years for the murder of Milos

Nedjeljko Djurovic; Illustration: Nikola Jovanovic; Photo: Facebook

Nedjeljko Djurovic was sentenced today to 30 years in prison by the Higher Court in Belgrade, and the victim's family and friends are dissatisfied with this decision. When announcing the verdict, the judge briefly explained the reasons for making the said decision, and the parties and defense attorneys can file their appeals against the verdict before the Appellate Court in Belgrade.

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As the court explained, Djurovic received 30 rather than 40 years in prison due to two circumstances: he had no prior convictions and did not know Milos Mileusnic, that is - he attacked him for no reason, and did not go out with the intent of killing him (specifically).

"The court ruled that the accused Djurovic was guilty of aggravated murder that took place while he was of sound mind. He insidiously deprived Milos of his life using a 19-centimeter-long knife. He inflicted four stab wounds and one cut. He knew that what he was doing should not be done, that is, that it was punishable. The court rejected the defense's objection that he was not guilty of this act, as it has been undoubtedly determined that he was the perpetrator. A knife and biological traces were found on his and on Mileusnic's wardrobe, and cameras filmed him. Milos's jacket, on which DNA traces were found, was collected as early as at the Emergency Center. The accused randomly (picked his victim) and committed this crime out of sheer abandon in a planned way," said Judge Natasa Albijanic.

The judge added that the time Djurovic has spent in detention is counted into his sentence.  A decision was made to extend his detention. He has the right to appeal within three days, while a decision was also made to compensate the plaintiffs for all incurred court fees.

The sentencing began at 11 am, and the father of the murder victim, Goran Mileusnic, was in front of the court as well as the Milos's friends who came wearing T-shirts reading, "Just be smiling, I remember you like that." In front of the Higher Court, they also spread a banner reading, "Justice for Milos."

After the verdict had been read, Nedjeljko asked the judge to speak to his mother, but the judge replied that the time was not right for that. He was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Goran Mileusnic said today after the sentencing of Nedjeljko Djurovic that he was not sure whether he was disappointed with the verdict.

"Considering that life in prison has been introduced, Nedjeljko Djurovic could have been sentenced to 40 years, I don't know what to say, whether I'm disappointed with the verdict. I don't know if we will appeal this verdict, I just hope that the appeal will not reduce the sentence further. I thank the court because they were very fair and the trial chamber took all the circumstances into account. No verdict will bring my son back," Goran told Telegraf.rs.

(Telegraf.rs)