First Statement Against Belarusian Law Enforcement Agencies For Torture Filed In Czech Republic

The chief of Hrodna riot police was directly involved in the torture.

The lawyer of the Belarusian, accusing the riot police in torture, has filed a complaint to the Main Department for Combating Organized Crime of the Czech Republic about the crimes directly involving the chief of Hrodna riot police, Viktar Krautsevich, as the victim claims, Radio Svaboda reports.

This is the first statement about the violent actions of the Belarusian law enforcement officers, which may trigger a criminal investigation in the Czech Republic. Earlier it was reported that 10 applications had already been prepared for filing in the Czech Republic under the universal jurisdiction. We remind that more than 50 people from Belarus are undergoing rehabilitation under the Czech medical and humanitarian program.

Belarusian lawyer Aliaksei Krenke said:

"Today, at the request of a client who has been seriously injured by representatives of the Belarusian power structures, our law firm received a report from the Central Office for Combating Organized Crime of the Czech Republic on committing a number of serious crimes against humanity. In that report, the victim details the facts of inhuman torture and ill-treatment committed by the riot police in Hrodna in August 2020, naming specific individuals. These facts are supported by witness testimonies and other evidence.

The facts described in our client's statement reveal actions that have no place in a civilized society. The Czech Criminal Code provides for the possibility of prosecuting such crimes in the Czech Republic under the principle of universality, regardless of the country in which they have been committed. We expect that the Czech investigative authorities will take up the case."

A representative of the Humanitarian Council, which has been operating in the Czech Republic to provide humanitarian assistance to victims and repressed people from Belarus since August, explained why February 7 has been chosen to file:

"Today, Belarusians and Belarusians around the world express solidarity with the Belarusian people, with Belarus. We, as the Humanitarian Council, stand in solidarity primarily with the victims of violence at the hands of the Belarusian security forces. The statements, which are now being filed in the EU countries, are aimed at bringing to justice the people who think that they have carte blanche for violence and that they will never get anything for it.

As you know, no criminal proceedings have been initiated against the security forces in Belarus. Dozens of victims who tried to get justice at home have been deprived of their basic rights. Hundreds of victims remain silent. The crime report filed today in the Czech Republic is also an expression of solidarity with those who are still unable to speak or have been denied the vote."