Sasha B. guilty of manslaughter during rip deal, OM claims 20 years in prison
Sacha B. has been active as a drug dealer since the summer of 2018. Via Telegram he came into contact with ‘Agach’ Mahmudov, who claimed to want to buy 250 grams of cannabis.
On February 25, 2020, they had arranged to meet near the Geitepark in Roeselare. The victim had a rip deal with three companions (don’t pay for drugs, ed.) planned.
Discussion
That particular evening of his 20th birthday, B. cycled to the Goat Park around 8 p.m. When he noticed two of Mahmudov’s companions, a heated discussion ensued. During that conflict, the young Menenaar was fatally hit by a bullet.
B. fled to his home, but was already arrested a few hours later. Since the start of the investigation, the resident of Roeselare has stated that he himself was not armed.
“Self-Defense or Incitement”
In his own words, he panicked when he saw that Mahmudov did have a weapon. He would have accidentally fired after taking the weapon from the victim.
In those circumstances, Master Johan Platteau argued unsuccessfully that there was lawful self-defense or at least incitement. The intent to kill was also unsuccessfully disputed.
No faith
The jurors clearly did not believe the accused’s version. “The debates have shown with sufficient certainty that the firearm did not belong to Agaverdi Mahmudov,” said chairman Joeri Pieters.
In the judgment it was concluded that B. bought the weapon via Telegram from a Dutch supplier shortly before the facts. “It is not at all plausible that Mahmudov would ever have been in possession of such a firearm.” In addition, his DNA was not found on the weapon.
“disproportionate”
Any legal self-defense was also swept aside in the judgment. It was noted that the victim only wanted to steal the drugs from the accused.
The court and jury found that Agach’s aggression was limited anyway, which made B.’s reaction disproportionate. Mahmudov’s companions were at a relatively safe distance at that time. The accused himself suffered no significant injuries.
Fatal shot
The judgment also stated that the fatal shot was not fired accidentally. The bullet pierced the victim’s arm and entered his chest.
By deliberately firing at Mahmudov’s body at such close range, B. accepted the risk that the victim would die. “The accused made the deliberate choice to have a ready-to-fire weapon on hand.”
Last words
Before the verdict of the jury, the accused, as usual, had the last word. “I would like to say that I am very sorry for what happened. It should never have happened and it was never my intention.”
“If I had known that my drug sales could lead to such dramatic consequences, I never would have started it.” Finally, he addressed the victims’ relatives. “I’m really sorry, I never wanted to.”
Rigid personality
Finally, the people’s jury ruled that there was no question of provocation either. “The accused cannot pretend to have been the victim of serious acts of violence against persons.” At most, according to the jurors, Mahmudov tried to pull off the backpack with drugs.
“The rather trivial aggression was not such that a normal and reasonable person would have reacted in that way.” The judgment referred to the rigid personality of the accused, who was therefore unable to control his anger.
“20 Years of Confinement”
Public prosecutor Roeland Vasseur has demanded 20 years in prison. The Public Prosecution Service calculated that if the accused is sentenced to 20 years in prison, he can ask to be released under conditions in less than four years.
“I have also seen that you do that reasonably well within the clear structure of the prison. I hope that you will also be able to adopt that attitude when you return to society. Because that day will come.”