Mastermind, sniper jailed for Serbian PM's murder

Ten other men were jailed for up to 35 years for the killing of Djindjic outside his Belgrade office -- an act which stunned the world as it sought to encourage Serbia out of isolation after the fall of strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

"This was a political murder, a criminal deed aimed against the state," said presiding judge Nata Mesarovic reading the verdict to a packed court, which included Serbian President Boris Tadic and former members of the Djindjic cabinet.

Former police commando unit leader Milorad "Legija" Ulemek, 39, was given a maximum 40-year sentence for organising the assassination of the pro-western premier.

Another unit member, Zvezdan "The Snake" Jovanovic, 41, was also jailed for 40 years. He was accused of firing the shot that felled Djindjic on March 12, 2003.

Ten other defendants were jailed for between eight and 35 years, though five are on the run. Charges were withdrawn against a 13th accused under a plea bargaining deal.

Prosecutors said all were members of the Red Berets elite police commando unit or gang members who wanted Djindjic dead so Milosevic loyalists could be brought back to power.