Barajevo: Man Arrested on Suspicion of Abusing Girlfriend
The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Mladenovac is handling the case against suspect L. B. (24), accused of abusing and confining his girlfriend M. B. (19) in an auto-repair shop in Barajevo.
- Suspect L. B. (24) was arrested in Barajevo on suspicion of abuse and torture.
- The victim, his girlfriend M. B. (19), was allegedly held confined in his auto-repair shop.
- Police ordered him held for up to 48 hours.
- The pre-trial procedure is led by the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Mladenovac.
Police in Barajevo have arrested a young man suspected of abusing his girlfriend. The suspect, L. B. (24), is accused of holding the 19-year-old M. B. confined in his own auto-repair shop. The arrest took place earlier this week, and the pre-trial procedure is led by the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Mladenovac.
According to the prosecution’s suspicion, the man allegedly used violence against the woman and prevented her from leaving the premises. Because the two were in a relationship, the case also falls under domestic-violence provisions. Guilt has not been established in a final ruling, and the suspect is defending himself in line with the law.
Suspect held for up to 48 hours
After the arrest, police ordered L. B. detained for up to 48 hours. That measure allows the suspect to be brought before the competent prosecutor. The prosecutor then decides whether to ask the court for custody or a lesser measure.
Barajevo falls administratively under Belgrade, but the case is within the jurisdiction of the Mladenovac prosecutor’s office. Such an allocation of cases is common due to the territorial organization of the judiciary. Jurisdiction follows the place of the offense and the parties’ residence.
Abuse and torture are criminal offenses against citizens’ freedoms and rights. When the injured party is a partner, the court also weighs the element of domestic violence. The law prescribes a prison sentence for such offenses, with the term depending on the severity of the consequences and the circumstances.
How are such cases prosecuted?
The procedure begins with a pre-trial phase, in which police and the prosecution gather evidence. This is followed by questioning of the suspect and, where needed, forensic examination. If the prosecutor finds sufficient grounds, an indictment is filed before the competent court.
In cases of intimate-partner violence, protecting the victim carries particular weight. The court may impose emergency measures, such as a restraining order or a ban on contact. The aim is to prevent a repeat of the violence while the case is ongoing.
The victim’s identity is protected, so only initials are cited in public. The same applies to the suspect until a final verdict. This practice preserves the presumption of innocence and the dignity of the injured party.
Do institutions respond quickly enough to reports of intimate-partner violence?
