Card

K.K.'s parents receive prison sentences in the repeated Ribnikar trial

On June 18, the Higher Court in Belgrade sentenced Vladimir Kecmanovic to 14 years and 6 months and Miljana Kecmanovic to 2 years and 11 months in prison in the repeated trial. The first-instance verdict can be appealed before the Court of Appeal.

Multiple sourcesIncidentsCourts and ProsecutionBelgradeBelgradeVracar
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Published: June 18, 2026 at 02:06 PM

Updated: June 18, 2026 at 02:06 PM

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This card belongs to the issue for June 18, 2026.

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Context

This card belongs to the long-running story The Ribnikar Case.

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Miljana Kecmanovic at the court building on the day of the Ribnikar verdict
Photo: N1, article on the verdict for K.K.'s parents in the Ribnikar case.

Sources

Breakdown by publication

Sources in this card: 4
N1
National mediaIndependent

Parents of the boy who committed the mass killing in Ribnikar sentenced to prison - father gets 14 and a half years

(Roditelji dečaka koji je izvršio masovno ubistvo u "Ribnikaru" osuđeni na zatvor - ocu 14 i po godina)

N1 reports that the Higher Court in Belgrade delivered the verdict on June 18 against Vladimir and Miljana Kecmanovic, the parents of the boy who committed the mass killing at Vladislav Ribnikar school on May 3, 2023. Vladimir Kecmanovic was convicted of a grave offense against public safety and neglect and abuse of a minor and sentenced to a combined 14 years and 6 months, with time in custody counted. Miljana Kecmanovic was sentenced to 2 years and 11 months for neglect and abuse of a minor; the ban on approaching, meeting, or communicating with witness K.K. was extended until she is sent to serve the sentence, and Vladimir's weapons and ammunition listed in the verdict were confiscated.

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Danas
National mediaIndependent

Verdict delivered: Vladimir Kecmanovic gets 14 and a half years, Miljana Kecmanovic almost three years

(Izrečena presuda: Vladimiru Kecmanoviću 14 i po godina zatvora, Miljani Kecmanović skoro tri godine)

Danas writes that the Higher Court in Belgrade sentenced Vladimir Kecmanovic to 14 years and 6 months in prison and Miljana Kecmanovic to 2 years and 11 months. The outlet recalls that Higher Prosecutor's Office chief Nenad Stefanovic had sought maximum sentences in closing arguments - 14 years and 11 months for Vladimir and 3 years for Miljana - while the defense sought acquittals, arguing that the indictment allegations were not proven. Danas also notes that the Court of Appeal accepted defense appeals in November 2025, annulled the convicting part of the earlier verdict, and sent the case back for the repeated trial that began in late January 2026.

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Kurir
National mediaTabloid

Why the Kecmanovics were sentenced to a total of 17 years and 5 months: court says Vladimir remains in custody and Miljana has a ban

(EVO ZAŠTO SU KECMANOVIĆI OSUĐENI NA UKUPNO 17 GODINA i 5 MESECI ROBIJE: Viši sud saopštio i da Vladimir ostaje u pritvoru, a Miljana ima JEDNU ZABRANU!)

Kurir frames the news through the combined sentence of 17 years and 5 months and the Higher Court's statement after the verdict. The article says Vladimir and Miljana Kecmanovic were found guilty of serious criminal offenses against public safety and neglect and abandonment of a minor. The outlet separately stresses that Vladimir remains in custody and that Miljana has a ban connected with contact with a witness.

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Novosti
National mediaOfficial framing

Verdict delivered in the Ribnikar case: here are the sentences for Vladimir and Miljana Kecmanovic

(DONETA PRESUDA U SLUČAJU RIBNIKAR! Evo na koliko su osuđeni Vladimir i Miljana Kecmanović)

Novosti reports that the Higher Court in Belgrade delivered the verdict at 10:00 on June 18 against Vladimir and Miljana Kecmanovic in the repeated proceeding for the Vladislav Ribnikar school case. Vladimir was sentenced to 14 years and 6 months, and Miljana Kecmanovic to 2 years and 11 months. The outlet recalls that the repeated proceeding was ordered after the Belgrade Court of Appeal annulled the earlier first-instance verdict; prosecutors sought 14 years and 11 months for Vladimir and 3 years for Miljana in closing arguments, while the defense sought acquittals.

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