A three-year, complex cross-border investigation into the murder of a 26-year-old man has been concluded by a joint investigation team (JIT) of Italian and Slovenian authorities coordinated by Eurojust. Two Italian suspects, who were minors at the time of the murder, are facing criminal proceedings after DNA analysis in both countries confirmed a match between the biological traces and the two individuals.
On 11 January 2022, a passer-by discovered a lifeless body in a border area between Gorizia, Italy and Nova Gorica, Slovenia. The passer-by alerted Italian emergency services, and as the body was found a few metres beyond the Slovenian border, Slovenian authorities were immediately involved. Initial investigations revealed that the death had occurred the previous evening and was caused by multiple stab wounds. In the meantime, Italian and Slovenian authorities started focusing their investigation on two Italian juvenile suspects with no prior criminal records.
As authorities initiated a complex investigation spanning two countries, a JIT was set up at Eurojust to enable real-time exchange of information and evidence and enable both authorities to take action in both countries. To ensure the investigations were aligned, multiple meetings took place at Eurojust with police and prosecutors from both countries.
A complex investigation began, with the authorities working together to gather evidence against the two suspects. Over 270 interviews were conducted, and data from electronic devices and surveillance footage were requested and analysed. Through the JIT at Eurojust, the suspects’ residences were searched, the suspects were interviewed and biological traces were collected and analysed.
In 2024, the authorities found substantial evidence against the suspects, including a DNA match between the suspects and the biological traces found. Following these findings, the suspects were subject to precautionary measures, including a ban on leaving Italy. In recent days, the joint investigation concluded with the notification that the preliminary investigations and the final interviews of the involved individuals had been completed. The suspects will now face trial in Italy, pending a final judgment by the court.
Eurojust, in particular, facilitated the cooperation between the following authorities:
- Italy: Public Prosecutor Office at the Juvenile Court of Trieste; Mobile Squad - Italian State Police Headquarter of Gorizia
- Slovenia: District State Prosecutor's Office in Nova Gorica; Police Directorate, Criminal Police Sector in Nova Gorica
Eurojust is an agency of the European Union