Zvezdan Jovanović
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Zvezdan Jovanović (born July 19, 1965), also known as Zveki and Zmija (Snake) is the assassin of former Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić on March 12, 2003. Jovanovic was born in a village of Breznica in the Metohija region of Kosovo. His original job was a locksmith. He joined the Serbian war volunteers led by Željko Ražnatović "Arkan" in 1991. Jovanović had been a member of the feared paramilitary unit, the Red Berets, and held the police rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was active in the series of Yugoslav wars in the 1990s, particularly in Kosovo.[1]
Jovanović was arrested on the charges of assassination of Đinđić in March of 2003. He was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison. The evidence connected him to the infamous Zemun Clan of Serbia's organized crime network, and to its alleged leader, Milorad Ulemek "Legija". He was silent during most of his trial but, allegedly, once confessed to the murder of Đinđić and said in a police report that he feels no remorse for killing him.[2][3][4]
In May 2008, ICTY-imprisioned Serbian Radical Party leader Vojislav Seselj compared Jovanovic with Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassin, saying “he would enjoy the same fame and glory that Gavrilo Princip has in Serbian history”[5]
[edit] References
- ^ BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Djindjic murder suspect arrested
- ^ BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Analysis: Marathon Djindjic trial
- ^ Group Named in Plot on Serbia Chief - International Justice - Global Policy Forum
- ^ BBC NEWS | Europe | Djindjic 'sniper' remains silent
- ^ Šešelj: Đinđić killer merits same glory as Princip, B92, 21 May 2008

