The County Court in Sisak handed down a sentence for aggravated murder committed for financial gain in September 2024 in Grabovac Banski. The State Attorney's Office confirmed the details of the verdict.
The County Court in Sisak has non-finaly sentenced a 33-year-old Croatian citizen to 25 years in prison. He was found guilty of the aggravated murder of 66-year-old Milan Pantelić, a pensioner from Grabovac Banski near Petrinja, committed for financial gain.
The verdict, as reported by the State Attorney's Office of the Republic of Croatia (DORH), was announced on August 7, 2026, immediately after the court hearing. Due to the length of the sentence, the defendant's remand custody was extended.
According to the indictment from the County State Attorney's Office in Sisak, the tragic event occurred on September 28, 2024. The convicted man came to the victim's property knowing that Pantelić owned a large flock of sheep he intended to sell. On that occasion, he struck the 66-year-old at least once forcefully in the head with a blunt object, and the victim died at the scene from his injuries.
After the murder, the attacker loaded about 50 sheep and 20 lambs into his vehicle and drove away. The total value of the stolen livestock was estimated at approximately 8,500 euros. Investigators at the time characterized the case as a "crime motivated by financial gain."
Officers of the Sisak-Moslavina Police Department conducted an extensive criminal investigation and arrested the suspect just a few days after the crime was committed. The police then stated that they had gathered enough evidence for reasonable suspicion.
The body of the unfortunate pensioner was found in a barn, and the autopsy confirmed that death was caused by violent means. The disappearance of the flock of sheep that Pantelić raised particularly drew the attention of investigators. During the investigation, they spoke with a number of local residents, whose information was crucial in solving the case.
Milan Pantelić was known in his village as a quiet man. He raised about 80 sheep, which provided him with additional income alongside his pension. The case deeply shocked the local community in Grabovac Banski.
The prosecution charged the 33-year-old with aggravated murder for financial gain. The County State Attorney's Office in Sisak is now awaiting the written copy of the verdict, after which it will decide on a potential appeal against the non-final judgment.
