10-year entry ban slapped on Swiss who took picture of Croat making Greater Albania gesture in Belgrade

The logo of the Higher Public Prosecution in Belgrade; Photo: VJT

The accused foreign nationals Bernard C. and Ganfranco V. have entered into plea bargain agreements with the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade.

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It entails admitting to committing the criminal offense of inciting national, racial and religious hatred and intolerance, on the basis of which the Higher Court in Belgrade sentenced them, Chief Public Prosecutor in Belgrade Nenad Stefanovic has confirmed for Telegraf.

Gianfranco V. was sentenced to a suspended prison sentence of one year with a probationary period of three years, while Bernard C. was sentenced to a suspended prison sentence of six months with a probationary period of two years.

In line with the plea bargain agreement, both defendants have been expelled from Serbia and will not be able to enter the country for the next 10 years, the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office told Telegraf.rs.

Gianfraco V.'s mobile phone was also confiscated.

Bernard C. assisted in committing the criminal act of inciting national, racial and religious hatred and intolerance when he took a photo of Gianfranco V., using his mobile phone - as Gianfraco V. was making a gesture supposed to represent "the Albanian eagle," alluding to a symbol of Greater Albania.

The incident happened on November 2, in front of the House of the National Assembly of Serbia in Belgrade.

Bernard C. is a citizen of Switzerland and Croatia, while Gianfranco V. is Swiss national.

(Telegraf.rs)