Life Sentence Sought in Cacak Murder of Kustudic

The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Cacak has indicted Milan M., Filip P. and Vladimir T. on charges of aggravated murder committed as co-perpetrators. Prosecutors are seeking the harshest penalty available under Serbia’s Criminal Code for all three: life imprisonment. The indictment covers the killing of 58-year-old Nenad Kustudic on March 15, 2026, in Cacak.

The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Cacak confirmed that the act was classified as aggravated murder committed in a particularly cruel and treacherous manner. The prosecution’s statement laid out exactly what the three men are accused of.

“They are suspected of brutally attacking the victim out of reckless revenge on March 15, 2026, and inflicting multiple blows with blunt objects.”

According to the prosecution, Kustudic died at the scene from injuries to his head and body. Media covering the case have reported that a hammer was used as the weapon.

Earlier, after questioning the three suspects, the prosecution had already released details on which the aggravated murder charge, committed as co-perpetrators, is based.

“The criminal offense of aggravated murder as co-perpetrators, for which an indictment has been filed against three individuals, concerns a killing carried out in a cruel and treacherous manner in Cacak on March 15, 2026.”

The three suspects were questioned before the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office on March 18, 2026. One of them presented his defense for about two hours, while the other two exercised their legal right to remain silent. Following the questioning, all three were ordered into pretrial detention for up to 30 days.

A key piece of evidence in the investigation is footage from the security cameras on the building where Kustudic was killed. The cameras recorded the three men, according to investigators, calmly leaving the building immediately after the crime.

Prosecutors cite reckless revenge over unresolved tensions between Kustudic and Milan M. as the motive. According to media reports, Kustudic had set fire to Milan M.’s house a month before the killing, and it is in that earlier incident, per the same reports, that the roots of the March 15 confrontation lie.

The indictment now goes before the Higher Court in Cacak, which will decide whether to confirm it before the trial can begin. The outcome of the proceedings, along with the exact schedule of hearings, will depend on the court’s ruling on the proposed indictment.