Red Star condemns reduction of sentence of Marko Ivkovic's murderer: "They are killing him and justice again"

A banner displayed at Red Star stadium in Belgrade shows Ivkovic's image and the word "You Live!" in Serbian; Printscreen: Youtube/FCRedStarBelgrade

Red Star (Crvena Zvezda) Belgrade basketball club has condemned the decision of a Turkish court, which reduced the sentence of Kadri Aktas, the killer of Red Star fan Marko Ivkovic, which occurred ahead of a game in Istanbul.

Recommended

On Wednesday, Akstas' sentence was shortened from 25 to 15 years.

Turkish and Serbian media reported that the decision was made based on injuries the convict had sustained in the incident before the EuroLeague game between Galatasaray and Red Star played in Istanbul on November 21, 2014.

"Red Star strongly condemns such a disgraceful decision with which individuals in the Turkish judiciary are once again killing Ivkovic, and at the same time, justice. Justice for a crime that is now being presented as some kind of 'self-defense of a parent' - while he was stabbing Ivkovic in the back with a knife?! Did anyone in that court think about Ivkovic's family today?," the club asked, and added:

"Red Star appeals on our state authorities and representatives of Serbian diplomacy to react to this injustice within their frameworks and possibilities, especially after the news that the killer's lawyers on Wednesday in Istanbul, to make the tragedy even greater, demanded the release of their client, because he has already 'served his time'? For us, he is not a 'client' in some legal or property dispute - but a 'murderer', who took someone's life! And he will remain that for the rest of his life!"

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)