STA, 21 October 2019 - Julija Adlešič, who cut off her hand with a circular saw at the beginning of the year in an alleged insurance fraud scheme, entered a non-guilty plea at the Ljubljana District Court on Monday, thus following the example of the other three suspects in the case, including her boyfriend.
The 29-year-old Sebastien Abramov, who allegedly put her up to it, and his mother Tinka Huskić Colarič pleaded not guilty on Friday.
His father Gorazd Colarič did not attend the hearing but since he appealed the indictment the court took his absence as a non-guilty plea.
Adlešič's hearing was adjourned until today after her lawyer warned that the court file lacked a document allowing Sedin Kičin, a local court prosecutor, to lead a procedure at the district court.
At the hearing Adlešič kept her hands in her pockets
Adlešič's lawyer also proposed today that his client's physical and mental health during and after the incident be re-evaluated. He also requested for her to be released from custody.
Adlešič and Abramov have been in custody since March.
Abramov reportedly made life and accident insurance policies for Adlešič with five insurance companies at the end of last year.
In January, when the insurance was valid and the first instalments paid, Adlešič cut off her left hand just above the wrist with a circular saw at Colarič's home.
Only days later, the four suspects filed damages claims with the five insurance companies. But they did not receive any money, as police already started investigating the case.
If the police had not interfered, the 21-year-old would have received EUR 1.2m in damages and several hundred thousand euro in monthly rent.
Adlešič had been claiming she had an accident while sawing off tree branches.
She, Abramov and his mother face up to eight years in prison, while his father faces up to two years.
