Hooligan suspected of seriously injuring 18-year-old Partizan fan arrested while attempting to flee Serbia

Illustration; Photo: MUP

34-year-old N.J., a hooligan suspected of taking part in a brutal beating of 18-year-old Partizan fan Ognjen L. - who was assaulted in a city bus in Zemun, Belgrade - was arrested on Wednesday as he was trying to leave Serbia, Telegraf.rs has learned.

Recommended

According to information available to us, the arrest happened at the Sremska Raca border crossing.

By order of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, N.J. has been detained and is suspected of causing serious bodily injuries.

The police are looking for the other hooligans who were involved in the brutal assault.

Details of the attack on the Partizan fan

Ognjen L. was seriously injured in a horrific attack that took place on August 3 on a GSP bus, in the central part of Belgrade's Zemun municipality.

Telegraf.rs has learned that a witness told investigators that there was every indication the attackers knew exactly who they were looking for, because a group of about 20 masked thugs burst into the bus and went straight to their victim, proceeding to beat him mercilessly using wooden sticks and clubs.

According to the witness, the attack happened at around 19:00 and seemed to have been planned. He also said that Ognjen L. had entered the bus along with several friends, probably unaware that he was being followed. Soon after, the vehicle was intercepted by four cars from which the jumped out, and then started hitting the bus with sticks and clubs in order to force the driver to open the doors.

Ognjen L. received severe, life-threatening injuries. His skull was fractured, there was internal bleeding in the brain, and his arms and legs were broken.

The victim's condition is now stable.

Ognjen's favorite club reacts

In the wake of the brutal beating of the teenager, Partizan FC issued a statement, expressing deep concern about the increase in violence among football supporters in Serbia.

"The Partizan football club strongly condemns the latest incidents and the increase in violence among fans, including a brutal attack that endangered the life of a youth who was beaten and seriously injured for wearing the symbols of our club," the statement said.

Partizan's representatives stressed that this is no longer an issue that has to do with sport, but with security in the society and the health of the nation.

(Telegraf.rs)