"It's behind closed doors because of information sensitivity": Psychologist on Belgrade school massacre trial

Psychotherapist Jugoslava Zajic said today that the decision of the Higher Court in Belgrade to exclude the public from the trial of the parents of a boy, 13-year-old at the time - who shot and killed nine students and a guard at the elementary school Vladislav Ribnikar in Belgrade on May 3, 2023, and injured five more children and a teacher - was made in the interest of the minors.

Recommended

Zajic added that she personally believes that due to the sensitivity of information and the case being treated as a media sensation, it is better for the trial to be closed.

Speaking for Tanjug, she added that the court's decision should be respected by everyone participating in that process.

"Regarding the continuation of the process, I see that the public is looking for responsibility and we see that a minor who is not criminally liable is the perpetrator, and then the responsibility of the parents is being sought.

The parents have some responsibility in the process of (their child's) development, maturing. I expect that through this process and this unique case, prevention will be promoted and that it will be shown that there are consequences," said Zajic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)