Argument over music ends in fatal beating during family slava

A family celebration ended in tragedy on Saturday, August 8, when 26-year-old N.U. from Zaječar fatally beat his brother-in-law, 41-year-old Igor N., in a village near Petrovac na Mlavi during the Orthodox slava for Saint Petka.

Relatives and neighbours said the gathering began as a normal, lively slava: loud music, children running in the yard and guests celebrating. At one point, however, a dispute over the music between the two men escalated into violence.

“N.U. suddenly struck Igor with a punch to the neck. Igor immediately fell and lost consciousness. All of that happened in front of a large number of children, including their relatives and neighbourhood children,” a family friend said.

Those present tried to help Igor and emergency medical services were called. The suspect is reported to have got into his car and driven away; police later found and arrested him in Bor a few hours after the incident.

Hospital treatment and legal action

Igor was taken to the General Hospital in Petrovac na Mlavi, where doctors immediately attempted to save his life. Despite medical efforts he died several hours later the same day.

After being held by police for up to 48 hours, N.U. was brought before the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Požarevac. He gave a statement and was ordered held in custody for 30 days. He is suspected of causing serious bodily injury qualified by death; under the Criminal Code of Serbia the offence carries a prison term of two to 12 years. The investigation into the case is ongoing.

Neighbours said the tragedy was compounded by a painful coincidence: Igor died on the same date—August 8—that his father had died exactly one year earlier. "His mother exactly one year ago, on August 8, lost her husband, and now, instead of marking the anniversary of his death, on the same day she has lost her son. A terrible tragedy," a neighbour said. Friends added that N.U., who lived in Zaječar and visited mainly for family events, was not well known in the village and was said to have an explosive temperament.

Photo: press material from the event