A Zagreb court sentenced a 20-year-old to 50 years in prison for a December attack at a suburban primary school that killed a seven-year-old and wounded four others. The attacker, a former pupil, was convicted of aggravated murder of a child, multiple counts of attempted aggravated murder and 50 offences involving violations of children's rights. He was tried as an adult after a psychiatric assessment; the rare maximum sentence can be appealed. The attack prompted nationwide shock and calls for safer schools.
Zagreb Court Hands School Attacker Maximum 50-Year Term After Fatal December Stabbing
Women light candles at a makeshift memorial outside the Zagreb school where the stabbing happened (DAMIR SENCAR)(DAMIR SENCAR/AFP/AFP)
A Zagreb court on Tuesday sentenced a 20-year-old man to the maximum prison term of 50 years after a December attack at a primary school that left a seven-year-old pupil dead and four others wounded.
The attacker, a former pupil of the same suburban Zagreb school, entered the building during class time and assaulted a teacher and several children with a knife, the indictment said. One child was killed; three other pupils and a teacher were injured.
Charges and legal findings
Prosecutors charged the defendant with one count of aggravated murder of a child, four counts of attempted aggravated murder and a total of 50 criminal offences relating to violations of children's rights, Kresimir Devcic, a court spokesperson, said in a statement.
“The court panel considers that only the harshest sentence — 50 years in prison — can achieve both special and general prevention,” Devcic said.
The 20-year-old was tried as an adult. A psychiatric assessment of his criminal responsibility was completed as part of the proceedings. He was arrested on the spot after the attack and has remained in custody since.
Judges noted that Croatia rarely imposes the maximum 50-year sentence; the verdict can be appealed. The unprecedented violence shocked and angered the nation and prompted street demonstrations calling for improved school safety measures.
Next steps
Legal representatives may lodge an appeal against the verdict. Meanwhile, the case has renewed calls from parents, educators and politicians for strengthened protections in schools and better prevention measures to stop similar attacks.
