Indictment confirmed against Elvis Ćustendil who killed Amra Kahrimanović in Tuzla with a police pistol in February

(Patria) - The Municipal Court of Tuzla confirmed the indictment of the Municipal Prosecutor's Office of Tuzla Canton against Elvis Ćustendil (51) from Tuzla, who was an official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of TK Police Administration at the time, due to the existence of grounded suspicion that on February 7, 2024, in the evening hours, he treacherously committed the murder of fifty-two-year-old Amra Kahrimanović from Tuzla.

Ćustendil is accused of having, on the mentioned day, while intoxicated, after Amra Kahrimanović, co-owner of a catering facility in the Sjenjak Shopping Center in Tuzla, came around 9 PM to close the facility and left the premises, suddenly stood up, followed the victim, and in the shopping center's hall, from close range, fired one shot from the service pistol of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of TK Police Administration, where he was employed in the Operations Center, treacherously into the victim's back, and after that, while the victim lay on the floor, fired another 15 shots into various parts of her body, killing her.

The Prosecutor's Office conducted the investigation in this case with the Federal Police Administration. During the investigation, 11 expert examinations were conducted. Among others, expert reports from a neuropsychiatrist and clinical psychologist, forensic medicine experts, DNA analysis, ballistic and chemical analyses, mobile phone and digital records (recordings) expert examinations, as well as other expert examinations conducted by the Federal Police Administration.

A number of persons were interviewed as witnesses, and approximately 230 different material evidence items were submitted to the competent court along with the indictment.

Neuropsychiatrist and clinical psychologist experts determined in their findings and opinions that the accused does not suffer from a temporary or permanent mental illness of a psychotic type, and that his ability to understand the significance and consequences of the criminal offense is reduced but not significantly, and that he is capable of participating in court proceedings.

The acting prosecutor proposed to the Municipal Court of Tuzla that his pre-trial detention be extended after the confirmation of the indictment, which can last for a maximum of three (3) years during the criminal proceedings, as a sentence of at least 10 years to a long-term prison sentence (45 years) can be imposed for the criminal offense from the indictment. A court hearing on the motion for extension of pre-trial detention is expected soon, and the previous decision on the extension of pre-trial detention is valid until the end of June 2024.

In another case, the acting prosecutor is conducting intensive checks and investigative actions with investigators from the Federal Police Administration regarding possible omissions and the conduct of responsible persons within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of TK Police Administration, which relate to the fact that Ćustendil possessed a service weapon of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of TK while on annual leave and used it during the commission of the criminal offense, as well as some other circumstances related to the conduct of police officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of TK that preceded this event. Checks in this case are still ongoing, and no prosecutorial decision has been made as to whether or not there are elements of criminal responsibility for any police officer.