Expert Claims Traces of Gunpowder Detected on Tarhaniš’s Hand; Murder Case Verdict Set for June 9
Defendant Tarhaniš appears in court (archive), Photo: Jadranka Ćetković
On January 9, 2022, Mensur Kurtagić from Rožaje was injured, and gunpowder residue was detected on the left hand of his acquaintance, Elvedin Tarhaniš, suggesting a possible link to the gunfire.
This connection was reinforced yesterday via video link by chemical expert Ljudmila Ivanović, who presented her conclusions at the Higher Court in Bijelo Polje, where Tarhaniš faces charges of attempted murder.
Ivanović acknowledged that GSR (gunshot residue) might be transferred through contact with others, as these are contact traces.
As per the indictment, Tarhaniš, along with an unidentified accomplice, allegedly attempted to murder Kurtagić on January 9, 2022, around 2:30 a.m. near the “Eko” gas station in Rožaje.
A previous conviction, which sentenced Tarhaniš to two years and 10 months in prison, was overturned by the Montenegro Court of Appeals.
Tarhaniš has contended that he did not fire at Kurtagić, asserting that they maintain a good relationship.
Reports from the Rožaje Security Department indicated that the victim was under the influence of drugs—specifically marijuana and cocaine—on the night in question.
Prosecutor Slavenko Smolović, in his final remarks, stated that the indictment was corroborated and suggested a consolidated prison sentence of three and a half years. In contrast, defense attorney Vidomir Bošković stressed that the evidence was unverified and noted that the victim had changed his statement, asserting in court that Tarhaniš did not fire at him and that he did not discharge more than 10 shots, nor was there an unknown accomplice present. He called for a logical decision: an acquittal, particularly since the expert witness confirmed that the gunpowder residue could have originated from another source.
According to the indictment, Tarhaniš allegedly approached the halted Peugeot 206 driven by the victim and discharged a projectile from an unidentified 7.62mm firearm, which resulted in minor injuries to Kurtagić while an unknown individual damaged the rear windshield with a wooden bat.
Tarhaniš is set to be sentenced on June 9 at 9:30 a.m.
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