Sunday, June 14, 2009

Dokic’s father gets 15 months in jail for threat

RUMA, Serbia - The father of tennis player Jelena Dokic was sentenced Thursday to 15 months in jail on charges that he threatened the Australian ambassador to Serbia.

Damir Dokic was found guilty of “endangering the security” of the ambassador in Belgrade and unlawful possession of weapons, which were impounded during a police search of his home.

Dokic was brought under police escort to the court in Ruma, a town about 30 miles northwest of Belgrade. He did not comment, but his lawyer confirmed the sentence to The Associated Press.


“The sentence is too high,” Bosiljka Djukic told the AP. “We were both left speechless.”

Djukic said she will appeal the sentence.

“I hope the higher court will undo this injustice against Damir Dokic,” Djukic said.

Dokic was arrested last month after reportedly saying he would blow up ambassador Clair Birgin’s car if she didn’t stop negative articles about him from being published in Australia.

Jelena Dokic had given interviews to Australian media, saying her father had beaten her.

Dokic told Serbian media he would fire a rocket launcher at Birgin’s car, but later said the statements were made in anger. He also has admitted having beaten his daughter.

Jelena Dokic, born in the former Yugoslavia, migrated to Australia with her family as a child and represented her adopted country at the 2000 Olympics.

She renounced her Australian ties in 2001 to move back to Serbia, then decided to compete for Australia again in 2006.

The 26-year-old Dokic, a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2000, is ranked No. 75 after a comeback at the Australian Open, where she reached the quarterfinals.

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