Higher Court(BETAPHOTO/MILAN TIMOTIC)
The Belgrade-based Higher Court ruled to extend custody for Veljko Belivuk and another 26 suspects in felony cases, staying in prison for another 30 days, while three were released pending trial, the court reported on Aug. 2.
Among the motives behind the ruling were that the suspects might try to escape, influence witnesses and repeat criminal activity shortly, another reason being that all the crimes they have been charged with carry lengthy prison sentences of more than 10 years.
Another element the court had considered was that the gravity of their crimes, and the methods they used had caused public distress, which might make it difficult to meet the standards of a fair criminal trial, the court went on to say in a press release.
The defendants and their lawyers may appeal to the Appellate Court in Belgrade three days as of the receipt of the court decision.
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