Higher Court Orders Detention in Novica Elek Murder Case
Nikola K., 20, and Bojan S., 23, have been ordered into detention for up to 30 days over the murder of Novica Elek in Surcin on August 29. The court cited the risk of flight and reoffending.
A pretrial-procedure judge at the Higher Court in Belgrade has ordered up to 30 days of detention for two suspects in the murder of Novica Elek, who was killed on August 29 in Surcin. Nikola K., 20, of Belgrade, and Bojan S., 23, of Vladimirci, are being held, the court said.
The reasons for the detention were laid out in the court’s own statement.
The risk of flight, that they might reoffend within a short period, and because the criminal offenses they are charged with carry a prison sentence longer than 10 years.
the Belgrade Higher Court said in a statement carried by Tanjug. Informer adds that the court also cited the gravity of the offense, as well as public unease that, in the court’s assessment, could jeopardize an orderly and fair conduct of the proceedings.
Sources also differ on the precise legal classification against Nikola K. According to Tanjug, he is charged with taking a life in an insidious manner, in conjunction with unauthorized possession of firearms and ammunition. Informer reports aggravated murder, in conjunction with illegal production, possession, carrying and trafficking of weapons and explosive materials. Bojan S., according to both sources, is charged with aiding in the commission of the offense, and Informer adds that evidentiary proceedings will also be conducted against him for unauthorized possession of narcotics.
According to the investigation, on August 28, acting on an agreement with Nikola K., Bojan S. approached Elek’s Audi SQ7 and planted a GPS tracking device under the front bumper, then monitored the vehicle’s movements and reported the victim’s whereabouts. The following day, August 29, at around 8:45 p.m., Nikola K. waited for Novica Elek outside his family home in Surcin. He fired several rounds from a Heckler & Koch automatic rifle, and when Elek fell onto the pavement, approached him and fired several more shots at close range into his head.
Nikola K. and Bojan S. were questioned before the prosecutor of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, which is leading the investigation. Both exercised their legal right to remain silent.
Srpske novine had earlier reported on the arrest of the shooter and his accomplice in the case. The detention ruling now discloses for the first time the sequence of events, from the planting of the GPS device on August 28 to the shooting itself the following evening.
An appeal against the detention order is allowed within three days, to be decided by the extra-trial criminal panel of the Belgrade Higher Court.
