Zvezdan Jovanović

Zvezdan Jovanović (Serbian Cyrillic: Звездан Јовановић; born 19 July 1965), also known as "Zmija" ("Snake") is a Serbian former paramilitary and Commander in the Serbian police's Special Operations Unit, sentenced to 40 years in prison for the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić in 2003.

Zvezdan Jovanović
Born (1965-07-19) 19 July 1965
Breznica, near Peć, SFR Yugoslavia
NationalitySerbian
OccupationParamilitary, criminal

Early life

Jovanović was born in the village of Breznica in Kosovo, in 1965. He had been a locksmith until joining the Serbian Volunteer Guard led by Željko Ražnatović in 1991. Jovanović had been a member of the feared anti-terrorist unit Red Berets and held the police rank of lieutenant colonel. He also participated in the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s, particularly in operations in Kosovo. He was awarded the Medal of Bravery after the Yugoslav Wars ended for being a participant in all engagements for the Serbian Forces.[1]

Assassination of Zoran Đinđić
Main article: Assassination of Zoran Đinđić

Jovanović was arrested on the charges of being responsible for the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić in March 2003. He was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison. The evidence connected him to the infamous Zemun Clan of Serbia's organized crime network, and to its alleged leader, Milorad Ulemek.[2][3]

He was silent during most of his trial but, allegedly, once confessed to the murder of Đinđić and said in a police report that he feels no remorse for killing him. Due to alleged interrogations, beatings and threats against his family, he claims to have been forced to falsely confess.[4][5][6]

References
  1. Đinđić murder suspect arrested, bbc.co.uk; accessed 20 January 2016.
  2. Steven Erlanger (16 March 2003). "The World: Murder in Belgrade; Did Serbia's Leader Do the West's Bidding Too Well?". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  3. "2 Suspects in Murder of Serbian Premier Are Killed by Police". The New York Times. 28 March 2003. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  4. Marathon Djindjic trial
  5. Group Named in Plot on Serbia Chief, globalpolicy.org; accessed 20 January 2016.
  6. BBC NEWS: "Djindjic 'sniper' remains silent", bbc.co.uk; accessed 20 January 2016.
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