STA, 15 July 2021 - The Kranj District Court handed down an eight-month suspended prison sentence with a probation period of five years to a 20-year-old from Kropa who planned a shooting spree in April, after he was found guilty of attempted trafficking in weapons. He must undergo compulsory medical treatment but has been released from detention. The defendant on Thursday admitted attempted trafficking in weapons or explosives. He said that he regretted his actions and apologized.
He admitted that he had ordered a Glock semi-automatic pistol, a Remington automatic firearm and ammunition by mail from the USA to Slovenia on the dark web.
The psychiatric expert assessed that the defendant was not criminally insane at the time of the offence, but his mental capacity was significantly diminished.
Judge Andrijana Ahačič explained that she had decided on such a long probationary period because the expert considered that the defendant would benefit from treatment over a longer period of time.
The 20-year-old has been in a prison hospital since April this year, when he was arrested by Slovenian criminal investigators following a tip-off from US security authorities, who intercepted his package with weapons hidden in a microwave oven.
It was established that the man had bought the weapons to attempt a shooting spree at several public institutions in Gorenjska, reportedly including his former primary school.
The man was prosecuted only for attempted trafficking in arms. To be charged with attempted murder or manslaughter, he would have to have carried out his plans.
"After looking at all the evidence, I have assessed that the only offence proved is the one for which he was convicted," the prosecutor explained.
