Three years have passed since Uroš Blažić used an automatic rifle in the villages of Malo Orašje and Dubona, near Mladenovac, killing nine people and seriously injuring 12 others. He has been finally sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment.
The Court of Appeal in Belgrade upheld the ruling of the Higher Court in Smederevo, sentencing both Uroš Blažić and his father, Radiša Blažić, to the maximum prison terms of 20 years each.
As Uroš Blažić had not yet reached the age of 21 at the time of committing the crime, under the Criminal Code he could not be sentenced to life imprisonment, as he is considered a younger adult.
On 12 December 2024, the Higher Court in Smederevo convicted him of aggravated murder, illegal production, possession, carrying and trafficking of weapons and explosive materials, abduction, and unauthorised use of another person’s vehicle.
In the same ruling, his father Radiša Blažić was also sentenced to 20 years in prison for illegal production, possession, carrying and trafficking of weapons and explosive materials, as well as for a serious offence against public safety. In addition to Uroš and Radiša Blažić, Uroš’s uncle and cousin, Goran and Boris Gavrilović, were tried in Kragujevac for their involvement in the crime, specifically in connection with weapons found at the time of the arrest of the accused mass murderer.
A day earlier, on 3 May 2023, a shooting took place at Vladislav Ribnikar Primary School in Belgrade. The 13-year-old attacker, who also attended the same school, used a pistol taken from his family home, registered in his father’s name. During the attack, he killed nine pupils and a security guard, and wounded five other students and a history teacher.
The motive for the crime has never been fully clarified.
On 19 September 2024, the Government of Serbia decided to designate 3 and 4 May as Days of Remembrance for the victims of the mass killings that occurred at “Vladislav Ribnikar” Primary School in Belgrade and in Orašje and Dubona, with these days to be commemorated annually.
Starting today until 8 May, primary and secondary schools across Serbia are observing a Week of Remembrance and Unity.
(Euronews, 04.05.2026)