Defendant in Old Nagorichane killings denies guilt, lawyer withdraws from defense

The trial of 25-year-old Trajko Bojkovski began today at the Kumanovo Criminal Court. He is accused of four brutal murders and two attempted murders of elderly women in the Kumanovo region, in a hearing marked by tension and unusual behavior by the defendant.

Although the prosecution described the case as unprecedented in judicial practice, the proceedings were blocked at the very first hearing.

The reason was lawyer Dragan Trajkoviq’s decision to withdraw from the defense, after Bojkovski stated at the start of the trial that he was not guilty of the four murders.

“Given that the defendant did not accept my advice, as defense counsel I am revoking my power of attorney in accordance with Article 76, paragraph 7 of the Criminal Procedure Law and, in accordance with the same article, paragraph 5, I propose that the court appoint another defense lawyer ex officio to protect his rights and interests,” lawyer Trajkoviq said. The next hearing was scheduled for August 31.

Before stating that he did not feel guilty over the murder of the four women, Bojkovski looked at the ceiling, shifted around in his chair in the courtroom and did not answer questions.

During today’s hearing, relatives of the four victims officially joined the criminal prosecution.

Prosecutor Ljubomir Lape said he would prove with strong evidence that the acts were committed intentionally and that he was a necrophile.