Zvezdan Jovanovic

Serbian Court to Ignore Petition for Release of Prime Minister’s Killer

Belgrade Higher Court told BIRN that Zvezdan Jovanovic, who shot dead Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic in 2003, is not eligible to ask for conditional release from prison until the end of 2029, despite a campaign calling for him to be freed immediately as a 'Serbian hero'.

Serbian State Security Officers’ Armed Uprising Acquittal Upheld

In a final ruling that was made public on Monday, Belgrade Appeals Court cleared Milorad 'Legija' Ulemek and six other former members of the Special Operations Unit, JSO of involvement in a rebellion in November 2001 against the Serbian government led by Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.

Court acquits former Red Berets accused of armed mutiny

Those found not guilty include former commander of the now disbanded JSO, Milorad "Legija" Ulemek - who was not in the courtroom today - and the unit's senior officer Zvezdan Jovanovic. Both men are currently serving 40 years in prison as the key conspirators in the 2003 assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.

15th anniversary of Djindjic assassination marked

The former commander of the Red Berets (JSO) Milorad Ulemek, as well as Zvezdan Jovanovic, who is the immediate perpetrator of the murder and former Ulemek deputy, were sentenced to 40 years in prison for organizing the murder of the prime minister.

The political background of Djindjic's murder has not yet been revealed.