|
Uros Blazic, 21, took up an automatic rifle on May 4, 2023 and
opened fire at multiple locations in two villages outside
Belgrade, randomly shooting at young people hanging out on a
spring evening.
Blazic was “aware of his actions and their illegality, and with
relentless violent behavior" killed and wounded people, judges
said.
The carnage came just a day after a teenager using his father’s
gun shot and killed nine fellow students and a guard at an
elementary school in central Belgrade in what was Serbia’s first
ever school shooting.
The parents of the school shooting suspect have gone on trial in
Belgrade. The suspect himself was below the age of criminal
responsibility and remains in a specialized mental institution.
The killings stunned the country which was used to wars and
crisis but where mass shootings were relatively rare. The
tragedies later triggered a wave of street protests and a
crackdown on widespread illegal gun ownership.
Blazic was arrested in central Serbia hours after the shootings
in the villages of Dubona and Malo Orasje, just south of
Belgrade. The 20-year prison sentence is the maximum permitted
under Serbian law for people under 21 years of age. Blazic was
20 when he committed the crime.
Separately, the gunman's father, Radisa Blazic was also
convicted for illegal possession of guns used in the shooting,
and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
During his trial, the younger Blazic said he could not explain
what prompted him to kill so many people. He said during closing
arguments that he had felt victimized but that there could be no
justification for what he had done.
“I committed hideous acts and I deserve the toughest
punishment,” he told the court.
Serbian media have reported that Blazic, who had a police
record, was known for violent outbursts and aggressive behavior
prior to the shootings.
Parents and relatives of the victims were present in the
courtroom in Belgrade as the verdict was read out. Many of them
sobbed as they entered the court on Thursday morning, wearing
shirts with the images of Blazic's victims.
All contents © copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
