The Court of Appeals in Kragujevac has annulled the ruling of a higher court in Uzice that determined the legal conditions were satisfied for the extradition of Alija Balijagić, who is suspected of committing a double murder in Bjelo Polje, Montenegro, and instructed the court to reconsider the case.

Balijagić himself appealed against the ruling that affirmed the legal prerequisites for his extradition; however, the Appellate Court dismissed his appeal as untimely, as reported by Tanjug from the High Court in Uzice.

In an official capacity, the Court of Appeals nullified that decision on December 30, returning the matter to the first-instance court for redetermination.

Balijagić and his defense team will once again have the opportunity to appeal to the Appellate Court once the court issues a new ruling. The Ministry of Justice will make a final determination regarding Balijagić’s extradition only after a decision has been finalized.

If this ruling is upheld, Balijagić will also face trial for the criminal offenses he is suspected of committing on Serbian territory.

On December 9, the public prosecutor’s office in Užice filed an indictment against Balijagić for unlawful possession and theft of firearms from a residence near Priboj, where he was apprehended on November 21 after nearly a month of evasion. At the time of his arrest, authorities discovered two rifles in his possession, with a third rifle being found later.

The indictment from the Prosecutor’s Office in Uzice accuses him of two criminal offenses – illegal possession of weapons and explosive materials, and the crime of aggravated theft.

Balijagić was taken into custody after a month-long hiding period, having been sought since October 25 in Sokolac near Bijelo Polje, on suspicion of murdering a brother and sister, which led to Montenegro seeking his extradition.