Amendments to the Criminal Code – Focus on Protecting Key Sectors!
The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia has adopted amendments to the Criminal Code (“Official Gazette of RS” No. 94/2024), which will come into effect eight days after publication. These changes introduce stricter penalties and enhanced legal protection for employees in education, healthcare, and social protection sectors, along with harsher sanctions for severe traffic offenses.
What Do the Amendments Include?
Enhanced Legal Protection for Employees in Key Sectors:
- Attacks on teachers, healthcare workers, or employees in social protection institutions are now punishable by:
- Basic offense: imprisonment from 3 months to 3 years.
- Offense causing minor bodily harm or involving threats with a weapon: imprisonment from 6 months to 5 years.
- Offense causing severe bodily harm: imprisonment from 1 to 8 years.
- Damage to the property of these workers: a fine or imprisonment of up to 2 years, and for damages exceeding 450,000 RSD, imprisonment from 6 months to 5 years.
Harsher Penalties for Severe Traffic Offenses:
- Penalties for intentional acts, such as causing severe bodily harm or significant material damage, have been increased:
- Basic offense: imprisonment from 2 to 10 years.
- For the most severe consequences: imprisonment of up to 15 years.
Purpose of the Amendments
These amendments respond to the rising incidents of violence against public sector employees and the increasing number of accidents caused by reckless behavior in traffic. The goal is to provide stronger legal protection and enhance accountability in sectors critical to society’s well-being.
For additional information or consultations, our team at Tasić & Partners is at your disposal.