Prosecutor’s Office Refuses to Bring Charges against Policemen Who Beat Civic Activist
According to Narodnaya Volya (June 22nd, 2007, “Beaten under the Law”), Leninski prosecutor’s office of Mahiliou refused to bring criminal charges against police officers who beat Siarhei Hirkin. Siarhei, a civic activist with childhood disability, was beaten on May 22nd, during the action against benefit cuts. The prosecutor’s office decided, the actions of police officers were lawful.
Leninski police department of Mahiliou admits that some of the facts from the activist’s complaint were true. However, they refused to punish the guilty referring to the law “About Police”.
On May 22nd, Siarhei Hirkin distributed “The Right to Freedom” human rights newsletter. All of a sudden several policemen ran up to him and pushed him in the police bus. In the police station the activist was told he had been detained for personal identification. When he was released, Siarhei Hirkin went to the doctor and registered the fact of being beaten. However, they seem to escape punishment.
