His bloody act had shocked all of Serbia the year before. The man who shot at passers-by with an automatic rifle from a moving car in several villages on May 4, 2023, destroying nine lives, has now been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
His victims were between 14 and 25 years old. Twelve other people were injured, some seriously. Because the perpetrator, Uros Blazic, was not yet 21 years old at the time of the crime, he received the highest possible sentence for his age. Life imprisonment in Serbia is only possible for people aged 21 and over.
Lawyer: “Not complete justice”
The survivor’s lawyer, Stefan Stefanovic, was convinced that Blazic received the maximum sentence. The duration of detention is still not long enough. “The families did not get full justice,” he criticized. “What else needs to happen before the executive and legislative authorities can change the law?”
Suspect shows remorse: ‘I deserve the maximum sentence’
The defendant pleaded guilty in court at the end of August and expressed remorse. “These are horrible acts that I have committed. I deserve the maximum sentence,” he said. “All I can say is that I am guilty and I am willing to face the consequences,” he added.
The perpetrator’s father was also sentenced to twenty years in prison for illegal possession of firearms. The prosecutor accused him of “creating the conditions for the crime” by purchasing the weapon used in the massacre. Other firearms were also found in the family’s home.
Guilty verdict reached in record time
Blazic’s trial took place in a high-security prison where trials against organized crime or war crimes are normally held. He was moved there after angry protests from relatives of the victims. Moreover, the procedure lasted only four months – a record time for the Serbian legal system.
The disaster occurred less than 24 hours after a massacre at a primary school in Belgrade that left ten people dead. A 13-year-old stormed into his school with a gun and pointed the weapon at students. In immediate response to the two atrocities, President Aleksandar Vucic ordered a major disarmament campaign.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
