Nenad Djuric pleads guilty to false claims of wealth

Former director of the Regional Police Directorate in northern Mitrovica, Nenad Djurovic, has pleaded guilty to the prosecution for criminal work “not reporting or false reporting of property, income, gift, other material benefits or financial obligations”, saying that due to a misunderstanding, he did not report the property correctly for 2020.

Djurc is charged with failing to submit correctly to the Anti-Corruption Agency (AKK) inflows for January 1st- 31st, 2020, stating that during 2020 it has realised net revenues of 14 thousand and 760 euros, even though the same had realised net revenues of 19 thousand and 342 euros and 1 cent, with which the same one has declared 4 thousand 582 euros and 15 cents, less.

The statement about guilt, accused Djuric, issued in Wednesday's initial review at the Foundation Court in Mitrovica after reading the indictment by prosecutor Arjan Xhema.

Parasely, accused Djuric were read his rights, consequences and benefits of admitting guilt in the initial review, by case judge Xhemajle Jusuf.

This happened because of a misunderstanding with the Anti-Corruption Agency, I never intended to commit any illegal action, sorry for that, so I plead guilty to”, Djuric said.

On the other hand, prosecutor Gemma proposed to the court to approve the plea of the accused Djuric, after this admission has been voluntaryly made after consulting the accused with his defender, lawyer Lubomir Pantovic and in accordance with the subject documents.

Also, the defender of accused Djuric, lawyer Pantovic, proposed to the court to approve the guilty plea from his defense, adding that all previous conditions have been met with Article 248 of the Kosovo Criminal Procedure Code in connection with admitting guilt in the initial review.

Afterwards, Judge Jusuf approved the guilty's plea, arguing that all legal conditions have been met.

Regarding the appointment of the criminal sanctions, prosecutor Xhema proposed to the court that the defendant plead guilty and condemn him under law and as a serious circumstance take into account the fact that the work Nenad Djuric is charged with enters the chapter of official corruption and criminal acts against official office, while as a facilitating circumstance takes into account the admission of guilt by the same.

While the lawyer Pantovic proposed to the court that he pronounce a parole sentence or low penalty sentence on bail, according to him the purpose of the sentence, seen in Article 38 of the Republic of Kosovo's Criminal Code, be achieved.

There are only extenuating circumstances on my side of protection, while the critical circumstances the prosecutor mentioned do not exist, because the lawmaker for each criminal act has determined the sentence and cannot be said to have to be punished more severely, just because he committed criminal work from the chapter in question”, said the lawyer Pantovic.

The same one added that the accused Djuric has pleaded guilty to the one who, in the phase of the investigation, has never committed criminal acts before, is a family man and against him is no other criminal procedure.

I think in this case it has been the 26th time of KPRK law enforcement, because my defense over years has regularly reported wealth, but in the critical period it has been time for COVID-19, the same one worked long-term and accepted a higher salary than usual, because of several additions they have received and did not know that these additions had to be reported”, said lawyer Pantovic.

He added that he is aware of the principle that non-recognition of the law is not reasoned, but said he considers it important that the court takes that fact into account, in case of the conviction's appointment.

On the other hand, accused Nenad Djurovic said he supports his defender's statement, while expressing regret over the case.

Justice Xhemal Jusuf announced that the court's statement in this case will take place on March 3rd, 2023.

Otherwise, the Constitutional Prosecutor in Mitrovica on September 20, 2022, has filed charges against Nenad Djuric, with the argument that for January 1st, December 31st 2020, in the quality of Kosovo Regional Police Director Mitrovica-North, he has not stated on the government's statement form, precisely during 2020.

According to the indictment, the defendant has been obliged in the Anti-Corruption Agency (AKK) to make the declaration of property, income, gift, other material benefits or financial obligations from March 1st to March 31st 2021, but the same has not correctly submitted the revenues made for the period 1 January 31st, 2020, stating that during the upper year it has accomplished net income of 14 thousand 760 euros, even though the same had realised net 19 thousand and 342 euros and 1 euro, what the same cent has declared as 4 thousand and 582 euro, less than 152 euro cents.

With this, Djuric is accused of committing criminal work “of not reporting or reporting false wealth, incomes, gifts, other material benefits or financial obligations” by Article 430, par.2 and 1 KPRC.

Otherwise, on November 3rd, 2022, Kosovo Police at the recommendation of the Kosovo Police Inspectorate (IPK) has sponsored the Kosovo Police Regional Director for the Northern region, Nenad Djurovic, after refusing to implement the Kosovo Government's decision to reregister cars having license plates issued by Serbia at those RKS Republic of Kosovo. After that decision, members of the Serb community have left Kosovo institutions.

While, Kosovo Police have confirmed to “Justice Vow” that a decision has been made to cut the working relationship of Djuric, the decision he has the right to file a complaint with. /Betimy for Justice