US national appears in hearing in Belgrade over illegal carrying of pistol, ammo possession

BELGRADE - A US national appeared in a hearing before the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade on Monday on suspicion of illegally carrying a pistol and a magazine with six live rounds and illegal possession of another magazine and 14 rounds of various calibres.

Thirty-six-year-old Alexander Martin M remained silent during the hearing, exercising his legal right not to defend himself, the Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.

It said police had found the KEL-TEC pistol on the suspect in central Belgrade on July 27 and that the 14 rounds had been found in a hostel room where he had been staying without registration.

The Prosecutor's Office proposed placing the suspect in custody to prevent him from escaping or repeating the offence in a short period of time.

He is suspected of committing the offence of unlawful manufacture, possession, carrying and distribution of weapons and explosives, punishable by two to 12 years in prison, in concurrence with the offence of unlawful manufacture, possession, carrying and distribution of weapons and explosives, punishable by six months to five years in prison and a fine.