The Higher Court in Bijelo Polje has reaffirmed its previous decision to remand Alija Balijagić (64) in custody, citing the risk of flight and potential reoffending.

The individual implicated in the double homicide was interrogated today at the Bijelo Polje High Court.

Video: Jadranka Ćetković

During the proceedings, a family member of the deceased Jovan and Milenka Madžgalj confronted Balijagić, accusing him of murder, which prompted police intervention.

Video: Jadranka Ćetković

Balijagić was interrogated today by investigative judge Vukomir Bošković.

Yesterday, Balijagić was extradited from Serbia to Montenegro and subsequently taken to the prison in Bijelo Polje.

He was apprehended in Serbia on November 21, 2024, and one day later, the Montenegrin Ministry of Justice submitted a request for his extradition for prosecution related to aggravated murder and illegal possession of weapons and explosives.

Balijagić is accused of shooting his brother and sister—Jovan (25) and Milenko Madžgalj (60)—with a hunting rifle in their home on October 25th of the previous year in the Sokolac area of Bijelo Polje.

“The justification for detention remains”

The High Court issued an official statement confirming that the reasons for Balijagić’s detention, as previously established by the court’s decision on October 29, 2024, are still valid.

“Today, the defendant AB from B. P was questioned before the High Court in Bijelo Polje by investigative judge Vukomir Bošković, with his defense attorney present. He was made aware that criminal proceedings are currently underway against him due to reasonable suspicion of committing aggravated murder under Article 144, paragraph 1, items 1 and 8, in conjunction with illegal possession and carrying of weapons and explosives under Article 403, paragraph 3 and paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro. This relates to an incident that occurred on October 25, 2024, around 21:10 p.m. in S, B.P municipality, where he maliciously ended the lives of multiple individuals by invading the family home of the injured party MJ. He placed a concrete block under the living room window to better observe the interior, where MJ and MM were. He then shot at MJ while he sat on the sofa, and simultaneously fired at MM, who was calling the police to report her brother’s murder, inflicting life-threatening injuries that resulted in both their deaths.

“The defendant AB had been evading capture since the crime occurred on October 25, 2024, until his apprehension in the Republic of Serbia, following an issued arrest warrant. On March 17, 2025, he was extradited from Serbia to Montenegro by the competent authorities.

“Previously, due to reasonable suspicion of committing the outlined offenses, bail was denied by the investigating judge’s decision on October 29, 2024, ordering custody for up to one month, effective from the moment of his arrest, citing risks of flight, reoffending, and the serious nature of the charges, which carry a penalty of ten years or more,” the statement elaborated.

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