Two men sentenced to a total of 10 years for abducting and forcing a confession in Negotino

Two men admitted guilt and a five-member criminal panel at the Basic Court in Kavadarci handed down prison terms totaling 10 years for the abduction of a young man from Negotino.

B. M. (37) was sentenced to six years and Ķ. S. (30) to four years; both remain in custody pending the finality of the verdict. The sentence is first-instance and the parties have the right to appeal to the Appellate Court. The defendants are residents of the village of Koprishnica in the Demir Kapija municipality and reportedly expressed remorse during the proceedings.

Psychiatric report and prosecutor's appeal

According to the psychiatric assessment, "the first accused B. M. was in a state of significantly reduced mental capacity due to a permanent mental illness – chronic psychosis, paranoia and pathological jealousy." The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Kavadarci announced it will file an appeal against the judgment.

The abduction took place on 12 April this year. Prosecutors say that B. M., as the instigator, together with Ķ. S. abducted a 21-year-old man from Negotino with the intention of forcing him to record a confession that he had raped the wife of one of the accused. During the abduction the accomplice used a pistol, chambered it and threatened the victim.

After beating and intimidating the young man in a wooded area, the two brought him to the police station in Negotino. The court record shows the two defendants pleaded guilty; the Basic Court’s five-member council imposed the combined sentence that totals ten years behind bars.

Because the judgment is not final, detention for both men was extended until appellate remedies are exhausted.

Photo: SDK.MK)