Jasari, who battered his 5-month-old baby to death because she was crying, sentenced to 14 years

The judge briefly explained the reasons for the decision

The Higher Court in Belgrade on Thursday passed and publicly announced the verdict by which it found the accused Jasari Ferdi guilty of committing the criminal offense of grievous bodily harm and sentenced him to 14 years in prison. He stood accused of killing his five-month-old baby by hitting her on the head and body in November 2018.

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This sentence includes the time he spent in detention.

His detention has been extended, which may last until he is sent to a penitentiary institution, but no longer than until the expiration of the sentence imposed in the first-instance verdict.

While announcing the verdict, the judge briefly explained the reasons for the decision. Jasari and his defense attorneys can appeal the verdict before the Appellate Court in Belgrade.

Ferdi Jasari stood accused of killing a five-month-old baby by striking her, which could have landed him in prison for 10 to 40 years.

He was suspected of hitting his daughter while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, because the baby was crying.

During the night, the mother took the baby to the Clinical Hospital Center Zemun, but due to the severity of her injuries, the baby died a few hours later.

Jasari admitted in court that he had punched the infant in the head using his fists.

"I am guilty. But I'm not a killer, I didn't want to do it on purpose. I regret it. I wanted to calm her down. I didn't want to punch her. I had no control because of the drugs. I hit her on the thigh and twice with my fist on the back of her head," Jasari earlier told the panel of judges of the Higher Court in Belgrade.

(Telegraf.rs)