Homel human rights defender demands to prosecute local judge

On 11 August, Homel human rights defender Anatol Paplauny submitted an application to Belarus’ Prosecutor General Ryhor Vasilevich, urging the official to initiate criminal proceedings against judge Alena Tsalkova, the BelaPAN news agency reports.

The human rights defender was detained during a “silent protest” on 3 July and sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest for alleged using of foul language. After his release, Mr. Paplauny appealed the verdict at Homel Regional Court, which reversed the sentence due to violations of the Code of Administrative Procedures.

According to human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka, who assisted Mr. Paplauny in drafting the application, the judge failed to provide legal assessment to the police report, which abounded in procedural violations, e.g. the report did not mention the detainee’s personal data and the witnesses of the reported offence; Mr. Paplauny failed to be informed on his rights and duties during the arrest.

“In fact, the judge considered a blank report and Mr. Paplauny had to serve 15 days in prison, i.e. he received a maximum penalty under Art. 17.1 of the Administrative Code”, says Mr. Sudalenka.

Anatol Paplauny believes that Judge Alena Tsalkova should be prosecuted for committing an offence under Par.1 Art. 392 of the Criminal Code (“deliberate illegal sentencing”).

Mr. Paplauny submitted a similar statement to Homel Tsentralny Prosecutor’s Office, demanding to inspect the illegal detention by the city’s police.