Prosecutor's Office KS seeks custody for Bećirović who killed ex-wife

(Patria) - The Prosecutor's Office of Sarajevo Canton, at today's hearing in the Cantonal Court, explained why it is seeking custody for Anel Bećirović, suspected of killing his common-law wife Emira Maslan.

Prosecutor Aida Turić stated that custody is sought due to the risk that the suspect might commit another crime if released.

"He has been previously accused of domestic violence, and the crime he is suspected of committing was done while he had a restraining order against him to stay away from the victim. He committed the crime with a pistol, took it with him after the act, took the child and endangered them, and threatened to kill himself. Only by imposing custody can the repetition of a similar crime be prevented," stated prosecutor Turić.

Lawyer Omar Mehmedbašić, Bećirović's court-appointed defense attorney, spoke on behalf of his client, emphasizing that the suspect is in a severe psychological state.

"Bećirović stated in his testimony earlier that he loved Emira and the child immensely. He admitted to this crime, regrets it, and only wishes he had managed to kill himself. He claims he is not a criminal and could not live without his family," said Mehmedbašić.

Judge Adisa Zahiragić will make a decision on the request of the KS Prosecutor's Office later.

On Monday, Bećirović killed Maslan in an apartment in the Alipašino Polje neighborhood of Sarajevo, after which he fled to an apartment in the Hrasno neighborhood, where he barricaded himself with their four-year-old child. During negotiations, the police managed to persuade him to surrender his weapon, while the child was moved to safety beforehand.

Bećirović has been registered seven times in the criminal records of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of KS.