Zvezdan Jovanović (Serbian Cyrillic: Звездан Јовановић; born 19 July 1965), known by the nicknames as Zmija and Zveki, is a Serbian former paramilitary and commander of the Serb Volunteer Guard and the Special Operations Unit. In 2003, he assassinated Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Zvezdan Jovanović | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 July 1965 Breznica, near Peć, Yugoslavia |
| Organization | Special Operations Unit |
| Known for | Assassination of Zoran Đinđić |
| Criminal status | Imprisoned |
| Criminal charge | Attempter murder and murder of a senior government official |
| Penalty | 40-year imprisonment |
| Military career | |
| Native name | Звездан Јовановић |
| Nickname(s) | "Zmija" "Zveki" |
| Service/ |  Serb Volunteer Guard Special Operations Unit |
| Years of service | 1991–2003 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Commands held | Commander of the Serb Volunteer Guard and the Special Operations Unit |
| Battles/wars | Yugoslav Wars |
Biography edit
Jovanović was born in the village of Breznica in Kosovo and Metohija, in 1965. He had been a locksmith until joining the Serb Volunteer Guard led by Željko Ražnatović in 1991. Jovanović had been a member of the feared Special Operations Unit and held the police rank of lieutenant colonel.[1] He also participated in the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s, particularly in operations in Kosovo. He was awarded the Medal of Bravery after the wars ended for being a participant in all engagements for the Serbian Forces.[2]
Assassination of Zoran Đinđić edit
Jovanović was arrested on the charges of being responsible for the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić in March 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.[3][4]
Jovanović stated that he killed Đinđić to restore a pro-Milošević government.[5] He was silent during most of his trial but allegedly, he soon confessed to the murder of Đinđić and said in a police report that he feels no remorse for killing him. Due to alleged interrogations, beatings and threats against his family, he claims to have been forced to falsely confess.[6][7][8]
On 23 May 2007, Jovanović was found guilty by the Belgrade Special Court for Combating Organized Crime and was sentenced to 40 years in prison for attempted murder and murder of a senior government official.[9][10] In May 2008, Serbian Radical Party leader Vojislav Šešelj compared the assassination of Đinđić to that of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by stating that "Jovanović wanted to enjoy the same fame and glory that Gavrilo Princip has in Serbian history."[11]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "BBC News – Europe – Djindjic murder suspect arrested". 25 March 2003. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ "Djindjic murder suspect arrested". 25 March 2003. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ Steven Erlanger (16 March 2003). "The World: Murder in Belgrade; Did Serbia's Leader Do the West's Bidding Too Well?". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ "2 Suspects in Murder of Serbian Premier Are Killed by Police". The New York Times. 28 March 2003. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ "Assassin says Djindjic murder was to be first of many". The Independent. 9 April 2003. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- ^ "Analysis: Marathon Djindjic trial". 23 May 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Group Named in Plot on Serbia Chief". archive.globalpolicy.org. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Djindjic 'sniper' remains silent". 24 December 2003. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Zvezdanove staze - Vreme". vreme.com (in Serbian). Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Милорад Улемек и Звездан Йованович осуждены на 40 лет". web.archive.org. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "B92 - News - Crime & War crimes - Šešelj: Đinđić killer merits same glory as Princip". web.archive.org. 26 May 2008. Retrieved 5 April 2024.