Judge in Djindjic trial a gangster, claim lawyers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Defence lawyers in the trial of suspects in the assassination of Zoran Djindjic, the Serbian Prime Minister, filed criminal charges yesterday against the trial's presiding judge, accusing him of being a member of an underworld gang.
The lawyers accused Marko Kljajevic, the head of the three-judge panel, of being a member of a Belgrade gang rival to the Zemun Clan, the underworld group the suspects allegedly belong to. They argued the judge should be suspended.
In the trial, which resumed yesterday after being adjourned in December, 36 suspects are accused of direct and indirect involvement with the slaying of Mr Djindjic on 12 March.
The defence lawyers accusing Judge Kljajevic of being unfit to hear the trial cited newspapers reports published in December about permits Judge Kljajevic allegedly obtained through a court to promote a business deal of the wife of the rival gang leader. Miroslav Todorovic, the defence lawyer, said: "You have ... disgraced the entire Serbian judiciary."
The court adjourned until today.
Meanwhile, Rajko Danilovic, the Belgrade lawyer who represents Mr Djindjic's widow, said the defence was "consistently disrupting and hindering proceedings".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments