A 44-year-old man identified as B. was sentenced on Thursday morning to five years in prison for kidnapping, raping, and abusing his wife, identified as V. The victim was present in court and became emotional upon hearing the verdict.
Prosecution’s Case
During the trial held on January 9, 2026, the Public Prosecutor stated that B.’s drug addiction played a significant role in the events that occurred on August 10, 2025. According to the prosecution, B. demanded sexual relations, which V. refused. The following day, B. went to V.’s workplace, forcibly grabbed her, dragged her outside, and forced her into his car.
At B.’s residence, V. was raped and physically abused. The prosecutor emphasized that the abuse was severe, supported by photographic evidence, and that V. had to remain hospitalized for five days due to a brain hemorrhage caused by repeated blows to her face.
The prosecution stated that the crimes deeply violated V.’s physical and emotional integrity and that she continues to require psychological treatment. The couple’s children were also affected by the incident.
Taking into account that this was B.’s first criminal conviction, the prosecutor demanded a seven-year prison sentence, minus time already served, and requested that B. receive addiction treatment. The prosecutor also asked the court to approve financial compensation of 15,000 florins for damages and 300 florins for V.’s broken cellphone.
Not Guilty of Severe Abuse
The judge ruled that B. was not guilty of severe physical abuse, stating that medical reports and evidence did not sufficiently prove that the injuries met the legal threshold for severe abuse. As a result, B. was acquitted of that specific charge.
Guilty of Kidnapping, Rape, and Abuse
Despite the partial acquittal, the judge rejected the defense’s claims that there was no rape or kidnapping and that B. acted in self-defense. The court ruled that rape, kidnapping, and physical abuse were legally proven, based on V.’s testimony and supporting witness statements.
The judge also dismissed the argument that V. attacked B., stating that the evidence clearly showed that B. was the aggressor, and that V. acted in self-defense.
Sentencing
The judge described the crimes as extremely serious, but considered mitigating factors such as B.’s lack of prior convictions and sentencing guidelines established by the appellate court.
Because severe abuse was not legally proven, the judge reduced the sentence from the seven years requested by the prosecution and imposed a five-year prison sentence, minus time already served at KIA.
In addition, B. was ordered to pay:
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15,000 florins in material damages
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300 florins for the damaged cellphone
The total compensation of 15,300 florins must be paid through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will ensure the funds are transferred to the victim.
