Belgrade VJT: detention for suspects in grenade attacks on family homes
Senad M. (32) and Perica S. (27) are charged with causing general danger; the Belgrade Higher Public Prosecutor's Office sought, and the court confirmed, detention up to 30 days.
By order of the Belgrade Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office, up to 30 days of pre-trial detention have been imposed on Senad M. (32) and Perica S. (27). There is reasonable suspicion that they committed the criminal offences of causing general danger and unauthorised production, possession, carrying and trafficking of weapons and explosive material.
The ruling was issued on May 27 by the duty pre-trial judge at the Belgrade Higher Court.
What the prosecutor’s office alleges
According to the grounds for suspicion cited by the prosecutor’s office, Senad M. and Perica S. set off hand grenades outside family homes during night hours over recent weeks. The attacks occurred at several locations in Belgrade.
The explosions caused significant material damage. There were no injuries.
Sentences under the Criminal Code
The criminal offence of causing general danger under Article 278 of the Criminal Code carries a sentence of six months to five years. In its aggravated form, when the act endangers a larger number of people or property of significant value, the sentence rises to between two and twelve years.
The offence under Article 348, which covers unlawful possession of weapons, carries six months to five years. The specific sentence depends on the type and quantity.
Part of a broader investigation
The prosecutor’s office said the proceedings against the suspects are part of a wider investigation into a series of attacks on family homes in Belgrade. The investigation has been running for several months.
Forensic examination of fragments found at the scenes is underway, along with checks for links to other cases.
According to unofficial accounts, the Organised Crime Service is involved in the investigation. The VJT has not officially confirmed whether the case will be transferred to the Prosecutor’s Office for Organised Crime. The decision depends on whether the offences were committed as part of an organised criminal group under Article 112 paragraph 35 of the Criminal Code.
Appeal deadline
The next hearing will be scheduled within the 30-day detention window. By that point the prosecutor’s office must issue a decision to open a formal investigation and submit any motion for extending detention to the relevant panel of the Higher Court.
Defence lawyers may lodge an appeal against the detention ruling with the Belgrade Appellate Court panel within three days. The appeal is ruled on within 48 hours of the case file being received.
YUCOM on the presumption of innocence
From the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM), in a general comment on similar cases, lawyer Milan Antonijevic stated:
The public has an interest in clear communication from the prosecutor’s office, but showing material from an investigation before an indictment is filed can affect the presumption of innocence under Article 3 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and that risk must be weighed carefully in each case.
Will the case be joined with other investigations into explosive attacks in Belgrade? Follow further statements from the prosecutor’s office on our portal.
