Prosecutors Seek at Least 30 Years as Verdict Nears in Noah Milivojev Murder Trial

Prosecutors Seek at Least 30 Years as Verdict Nears in Noah Milivojev Murder Trial
The Higher Court in Belgrade is scheduled to deliver its first-instance verdict on November 20 in the murder trial of Ognjen Dabetić, who is accused of killing 18-year-old transgender person Noah Milivojev in June 2023. Dabetić has been in custody since his arrest, and both the prosecution and defense will have the right to appeal.

The trial concluded with closing arguments. Prosecutors maintained that Dabetić committed aggravated murder out of hatred and other base motives, arguing that he lured Milivojev to his apartment after the two had been in a turbulent relationship. They said he strangled Milivojev with a cable, dismembered the body and concealed the remains in containers treated with chemicals.

The prosecution also cited DNA traces on the cable, messages allegedly sent to Milivojev’s mother while posing as the victim, and statements that Dabetić had threatened to “destroy her and bring her into the darkness.” Prosecutors said the manner of concealment went beyond an attempt to hide evidence and reflected hostility toward the victim. They described Dabetić as mentally healthy and capable of understanding his actions, seeking a sentence of at least 30 years in prison and an extension of his detention.

The defense disputes that account. Dabetić’s lawyer argued that his client was physically weakened after a traffic accident, had used amphetamines for years and had taken the drug on the day of the killing. The lawyer also claimed Milivojev attacked Dabetić, making the case one of self-defense rather than aggravated murder, and asked the court to lift his detention or replace it with house arrest.

The court rejected a defense request to exclude portions of police testimony as unlawful evidence. It will now issue the first-instance ruling, which can be challenged before the Belgrade Court of Appeal.