On Thursday evening, July 9, 2026, Milan Ostojić, known in Serbian criminal circles as Sandokan, was shot multiple times in Šapca, a town located in central Serbia. The incident occurred around 10:00 PM local time following a dispute outside a restaurant. According to reports from several local media outlets, including Večernji list, Net.hr, and tportal, the shooting took place near a shopping center, where Ostojić had been engaged in a disagreement. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with emergency services rushing to the location shortly after the shots were fired.
The victim, identified as Milan Ostojić, is a former leader of the so-called “Šabac group,” which was implicated in numerous serious crimes between 2007 and 2010. This group was accused of being responsible for five murders and drug trafficking operations across parts of Serbia. Ostojić himself faced charges related to inciting the murder of Siniša Kromek, a criminal who had previously injured one of the group’s members, Strahinja Rašet. As a result, he was initially sentenced to 20 years in prison. However, his sentence was later reduced on appeal to 10 years, and he was released from custody in 2018. At that time, he was also cleared of charges related to organized crime and drug dealing.
Following the shooting, emergency medical personnel transported Ostojić to a hospital in Šapca, where he received initial treatment before being transferred to a larger facility in Belgrade. His condition remains unknown at this stage, though there have been no official statements regarding the severity of his injuries. In response to the incident, police forces were deployed throughout the area, and the town was placed under a state of heightened alert. Emergency sirens were activated, indicating the level of urgency surrounding the situation.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear, but according to accounts from local media, the confrontation began inside a restaurant, where Ostojić was reportedly involved in a heated argument. It is believed that the altercation escalated quickly, resulting in gunfire. While the exact cause of the conflict has not been officially confirmed, some sources suggest that the dispute may have been personal in nature, involving individuals connected to Ostojić's past activities.
Ostojić's name has become synonymous with organized crime in Serbia, particularly due to his leadership role within the Šabac group. The group, active primarily during the early 2000s, was known for its involvement in violent crimes and illicit drug trade. Although Ostojić was eventually freed from prison, his history continues to cast a shadow over his current actions. Some media outlets have even linked him to the so-called “Ćacilend” – a term used to describe a gathering of supporters of President Aleksandar Vučić in the Pionirski Park in Belgrade. These gatherings, often associated with political activism, have occasionally led to clashes with authorities, especially during periods of social unrest.
As the investigation into the shooting unfolds, law enforcement agencies are working to determine the full extent of the incident and identify any potential suspects. Given the high-profile nature of the case, public interest remains intense, with many hoping for clarity on both the motive behind the attack and the identity of the perpetrator. Meanwhile, Ostojić's family and legal representatives have yet to make public comments, leaving the community to speculate about the future course of events.
4 reports
Večernji listIndependentCenter4 hr. agoOn July 9, 2026, Milan Ostojić, known as 'Sandokan,' was shot multiple times during an altercation outside a restaurant in Šapca, Serbia. He was then transported by ambulance to a hospital in Šapca before being urgently transferred to Belgrade for further medical care. Ostojić has a criminal background, having previously led the so-called Šabac group, which was indicted in 2010 for serious crimes in Serbia, including five murders and drug trafficking. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for inciting the murder of Siniša Kromek but had his sentence reduced to 10 years in 2015 and released in 2018.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a criminal incident involving a former gang leader without overtly favoring any political side. It provides background on Ostojić’s legal history and does not include biased language or selective sourcing that would indicate a clear ideological lean.
Net.hrIndependentCenter5 hr. agoMilan Ostojić, poznat kao Sandokan, je pušen u šapackom trgovackom centru u Srbiji u večernjim satima. Incident je dogodio se nakon sukoba u gostionici, gdje je Ostojić bio cilj nekoliko metaka. Hitna pomoć ga je preveza u bolnicu, ali detalji o njegovim povredama još nisu poznati. U gradu je bilo opsadno stanje, a sirene su odzvanjale. Ostojić je bio vođa grupe optužene za brojna ubojstva i trgovinu drogom, a bio je osuđen na 20 godina zatvora za poticanje ubojstva Siniše Kromeka, što je apelacijski sud smanjio na 10 godina.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of the incident involving Milan Ostojić, known as Sandokan, including his criminal history and the circumstances of the shooting. It does not exhibit clear bias in framing, as it presents the event neutrally without overtly favoring any side or using loaded语言.
tportalIndependentProgressive5 hr. agoMilan Ostojić, known as Sandokan, was shot in the evening of Wednesday near a restaurant in Šapac, reportedly after an argument. He was a former leader of the notorious Šapac group, which was accused of five murders and drug trafficking in neighboring Serbia. Previously sentenced to 20 years in prison for inciting the murder of another criminal, Sinisa Kromek, his sentence was reduced to 10 years in 2015, leading to his release in 2018. After the shooting, a large number of police forces were deployed in Šapac, and emergency services transported him to the hospital. Serbian media have previously reported that Sandokan was part of the criminal milieu associated with Aleksander Vučić, the current president of Serbia.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the incident in the context of broader political tensions involving Aleksander Vučić and the impact of student protests on his government, suggesting a critique of the ruling party's stability. The emphasis on the connection between Sandokan and Vučić's associates implies a left-傾
Jutarnji listIndependentProgressive6 hr. agoMilan Ostojić, poznat kao Sandokan, je pogođen s više hitaca tijekom pucnjave ispred trgovačkog centra u Šapcu, Srbija, prema informacijama iz srpskih medija. Incident se dogodio nakon svađe ispred restorana, a hitna medicinska pomoć ga je prevezla u bolnicu. Zdravstveno stanje Ostojića još nije poznato. U Šapcu je raspoređeno veliko broj policijskih snaga. Ostojić je bio vođa šabačke skupine koja je 2010. godine optužena za pet ubojstava i trgovinu drogom. Bio je osuđen na 20 godina zatvora zbog poticanja na ubojstvo Siniše Kromeka, ali je oslobođen 2018. godine nakon smanjenja kazne. Srpski mediji su ranije izveli da je Ostojić bio među osobama iz kriminalnog miljea koji su boravili u Ćacilendu, kampu organiziranom pristašima predsjednika Aleksandra Vučića.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the incident within the broader context of organized crime and political influence, referencing connections between criminal networks and high-profile political figures like Aleksandar Vučić. This suggests a left-leaning perspective by highlighting systemic issues and potential cr
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