Alija Balijagić sentenced to 40 years in prison for murder of brother and sister Madžgalj

Alija Balijagić was sentenced today to 40 years in prison for the aggravated murder of brother and sister Jovan (60) and Milenka Madžgalj (69) in Sokolac on October 25 last year.

Balijagić was sentenced in the Higher Court in Bijelo Polje, Vijesti.me reports.

Prosecutor Vanja Rakonjac said on November 5, at the hearing where closing arguments were given, that all evidence presented confirmed that Balijagić committed the act in the manner described in the indictment.

She then recalled that Balijagić confessed to the crime, describing it in detail, and that at the time of the commission, as confirmed by the findings of a psychiatrist and psychologist, he was in a sane state.

- Balijagić described that he returned to the Madžgalj home after dark, took a concrete block and placed it under the window, climbed onto it and observed the victims. He further stated that at the moment when Jovan stood up and took the TV remote in his hands, he shot while he was turned sideways to him, noting that he shot Milenka because she called the police, and that he fired the second bullet for humane reasons - Rakonjac said on November 5.

She then noted that Balijagić said in his statement that he shot Jovan because he was rude to him and because he drove him away from the house and told him "to get lost and never see him again," but that the evidence shows he committed the crime cold-bloodedly in a treacherous manner at a time when they did not expect it, when they were relaxed in their home not expecting any attack, and that he acted with direct intent.

- In the DNA analysis of the Forensic Center, Balijagić's traces were found on parts of the window, glass, a tissue on the floor, a drawer, the floor, a plastic bucket with cheese... DNA traces of Balijagić were found - the prosecutor said on November 5, who requested the strictest penalty under the law for Balijagić.