SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) A Bosnian court sentenced Thursday a criminal gang leader to 40 years in prison for a string of mafia-style murders and organizing a 1.2 million euro ($1.6 million) euro bank transfer robbery.
Judge Izo Tankic sentenced ring-leader Zijad Turkovic after his conviction Thursday. Two of the murders he was convicted of included shooting a former associate and his Colombian girlfriend in the head.
His hit-man, Milenko Lakic, was also sentenced to 40 years for murder and organized crime.
Three other gang members received lighter sentences ranging from three to 12 years.
The sentences were the toughest ever handed down to a criminal gang, according to prosecution spokesman Boris Grubisic who called the gang "the most dangerous criminal organization in post- war Bosnia."
