Belgrade High Court begins sixth civil lawsuit regarding Ribnikar school shooting

A sixth civil lawsuit has commenced at the High Court in Belgrade against Vladimir and Miljana Kecmanović, the parents of the boy responsible for the May 2023 mass shooting at Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School. The plaintiff in this case is a minor girl who was wounded during the attack. The lawsuit seeks non-material damages for mental anguish, physical pain, fear, and diminished life activities.

This marks the sixth such civil proceeding following the tragedy that killed 10 people and injured six others. Previous lawsuits were filed by 27 members of the victims' families, the Đukić family, injured boys and their legal representatives, and a wounded history teacher. In previous first-instance rulings, the court ordered the Kecmanović parents and the school to pay victims more than 411 million dinars, though final decisions await the Appeals Court.

In a separate criminal proceeding, Vladimir Kecmanović was sentenced to 14.5 years in prison for child abuse, neglect, and crimes against public safety. Miljana Kecmanović received a sentence of 2 years and 11 months for child abuse and neglect.