Marko Šljivić sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing a traffic accident that killed three young people

(Patria) - Marko Šljivić (28) from Čapljina has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. This was ruled by the Panel of the Cantonal Court in Mostar.

The panel, consisting of Alen Džaferagić, Elis Sultanić, and Darko Zovko as president, decided that the person responsible for the deaths of three young people will also be banned from driving for three years after serving his sentence.

Šljivić is accused of causing a traffic accident on May 31 last year, around 4:15 AM, on the M-17 main road, Mostar-Čapljina, in the village of Ševaš Njive, while driving an Audi A4 under the influence of alcohol. The accident resulted in the deaths of Almin Crnalić (22), who was driving an Audi A3, and his passengers Enis Kurtović (22) and Dalila Žugor (20), all from Mostar. Dževad Šuta was also involved in the accident with his Fiat Ducato.

The Prosecutor's Office of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton charged him with "serious criminal offenses against public traffic safety" under Article 336, Paragraph 2, in conjunction with Paragraph 1, and in conjunction with the criminal offense of "Endangering public traffic" under Article 332, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of FBiH.

Prosecutor Spomenko Jukić stated in his closing argument that Šljivić committed the act he was accused of. Three vehicles were involved in the accident, and according to the evidence and witness testimonies, as Jukić stated, the vehicle driven by the accused was moving unsafely before the accident and crossing into the opposite lane.

According to the expert examination results, Šljivić had 1.61 grams of alcohol per kilogram of blood, which indicates intoxication. Through detailed analysis, the prosecutor added, it can be concluded without a doubt that the accused Šljivić caused the traffic accident with his actions and created a dangerous situation with terrible consequences through his behavior.

The defense for the accused maintains that it has not been proven that he caused the fatal traffic accident. In her closing argument, attorney Irena Pehar questioned whether the accused's actions truly caused the accident or if it was a complex set of circumstances. She reiterated the earlier position that the prosecution made procedural errors in determining the blood alcohol concentration, stating that the procedure was not carried out in accordance with regulations. She also conveyed that her client made no attempt to evade criminal proceedings in any way, reminding that he met with the parents of the victims and expressed his deepest condolences. Emphasizing that any doubt must be interpreted in favor of the accused, Pehar requested that her client be acquitted.

There is a possibility to appeal this verdict to the Supreme Court of FBiH.