Investigation of “Vaukavysk case” extended again

The case is not ready to send it to court, human rights activists say investigation has no proofs.

The investigation of the criminal case of entrepreneurs from Vaukavysk Mikalai Autukhovich and Uladzimir Asipenka has been extended until December 8. It was supposed the date will be November 8, after that the entrepreneurs accused of intentional arson, should have started studying the 9-volume case materials.

Uladzimer Asipenka’s lawyer Tamara Sidarenka planned to see an investigator to found out the details on the investigation on November 3. The lawyer hasn’t met with investigator Vital Klachko yet.

Lyudmila, Uladzimir Asipenka’s daughter, says her father is not involved in investigative activities. Uladizmri Asipenka writes in letters he doesn’t study the materials of the case. “Silence about this case makes me concern,” Lyudmila Asipenka says.

On February 18, 2009, the preliminary investigation department of the main militia department of the Hrodna region executive committee brought accusations to Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka from Vaukavysk of violation the article 218 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (intentional damage to or distraction of property).

The three men were detained on February 8 on suspicion of involvement in the crimes committed in 2005, where a house of a former militiaman was set on fire and property of an officer of the tax inspection of the Vaukavysk district was destructed.

Autukhovich and Asipenka are placed in pretrial detention facility #1 in Minsk. Yury Lyavonau was released on Augusdt 8, all charges against him were dismissed at the beginning of autumn.

Investigators tried to accuse Mikalai Autukhovich and Uladzimir Asipenka of preparation for a terroristic act, but this charge wasn’t confirmed officially.