Proceedings about deadly rip deal in Roeselare have started
Five women and seven men were drawn on Tuesday to sit on the people’s jury.
Circumstances unclear
The facts took place near the Geitepark in Roeselare. On his 20th birthday, SB met four other young men, including ‘Agach’ Mahmudov. His intention was to sell them drugs, but his customers apparently had no intention of actually paying for the 250 grams of cannabis. However, the rip deal all got out of hand, although the exact circumstances remain unclear.
Mahmudov was hit by a bullet and died on the spot from his injuries. The accused fled, but was arrested in his home.
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Delivery by bicycle
During the house search, the investigators discovered 76 grams of amphetamines and 75 grams of cocaine in the home of the accused. A telephone investigation showed that he had been dealing for about a year and a half. In total, SB would have sold three kilograms of cannabis. He usually made his deliveries by bicycle, just like on the day of the facts. In February 2021, the Kortrijk criminal court already sentenced the Roeselare resident to a suspended prison sentence for his drug trafficking. A capital gain of approximately 20,000 euros was forfeited.
“lawful self-defense”
SB still maintains that he did not own a firearm himself. According to the Roeselarenaar, he would have obtained the weapon of his attackers during the conflict. In addition, he claimed that the fatal shot during that skirmish was fired accidentally. Perhaps the defense will therefore argue that there was provocation, or that SB even acted in lawful self-defense.
During the assize process, SB will be assisted by master Johan Platteau and master Tine Decoster. Roeland Vasseur of the Ghent public prosecutor’s office makes his debut as a public prosecutor. The interests of the victim’s parents and a brother are being defended by Master Sven Mary and Master Brian Stuckens.
Remarkably enough, two companions of Agach Mahmudov will also file a civil suit. Master Filip De Reuse and master Gregory Everaert perform for a then underage man. Another person involved in the rip deal is assisted by master Yasmine Vuylsteke, master Thomas Vandemeulebroucke and master Elisabeth Vanpeteghem.
Together with a co-defendant, he will also have to answer for attempted extortion before the Kortrijk criminal court in April.
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Judgment on Friday, February 17
After the draw of the people’s jury, a male jury member asked whether he could be obliged to sit. In his own words, it really doesn’t fit into his agenda. The chairman could only draw his attention to the fact that he might be prosecuted if he refused to take the oath. Finally, all jurors and the three alternates took the oath.
The trial will really start on Friday morning, February 10, with the reading of the indictment. In the afternoon, the accused will in principle be interrogated by chairman Joeri Pieters.
The first witnesses will then be heard from Monday 13 February. The verdict is expected on Friday evening 17 February. For manslaughter, SB risks 30 years in prison.