"Barber of Malca" arrives in court, by the side entrance: The girl that he abducted set to testify

The trial of Ninoslav Jovanovic, better known as "the Barber of Malca," who kidnapped and abused a 12-year-old girl from the village of Suvi Do, continues today before the Higher Court in Nis. As our reporter at the site reports, the defendant was brought to the court by the side entrance. As announced, the girl who was Jovanovic's victim should testify today.

She will speak about her ordeal ​​from a special room intended for that, with assistance of experts.

The infamous "Barber of Malca" - named this way because of his habit of cutting his victim's hair before raping them - was arrested on January 5 in a cemetery in his home village after a chase involving police, Gendarmerie, army and a large number of volunteers.

He has been on trial since May 29 before the Higher Court in Nis, in a process closed to the public in order to protect the interests of the minor victim. During the procedure, Jovanovic tried on several occasions to challenge the findings of neuropsychiatric experts who declared him sane and thus criminally responsible, which means he could end up imprisoned for life.

In order to protect the interests of the minor, the public has been excluded from the trial, so only a court panel chaired by Judge Tamara Savic, the accused Jovanovic with his defense counsel, the deputy public prosecutor and the victim's parents as her legal representatives are allowed in the courtroom.

A previous court date, which was supposed to be held on September 16, was postponed because Jovanovic complained that he was ill and unabke to attend.

Previously, during the main hearing, neuropsychiatric experts, psychologists and doctors who examined the injuries inflicted on the child by the sexual predator presented their testimonies.

Who else will be invited to enter the courtroom will depend on the proposed evidence of the defense and the prosecution... The minor victim will not be among them. She will talk about her ordeal ​​from a special room intended for that, assisted by experts.

(Telegraf.rs)