The prosecutor’s office will investigate the incident with patrol policemen

The prosecutor’s office has commenced a criminal proceeding regarding the abuse of power or official authority by officers of the patrol police in Transcarpathian region, the press service of the Transcarpathian prosecutor’s office informed.

On July 20, 2018, the Mukachevo local public prosecutor’s office entered to the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations information concerning the abuse of power or official authority by employees of the Patrol Police Office in Transcarpathian region, who had inflicted bodily injuries to two local residents near the stationary post "Nyzhni Vorota".

 According to the young men, on July 20, about 4 am, patrol police officers approached them in a police car, after which they started hitting them at various parts of the body.

 The primary classification in this criminal proceeding is under Part 2 of Art. 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – abuse of power or official authority by a law enforcement officer using violence or threats of violence, using weapons or special means, or actions causing pain and violating the victim’s personal dignity without signs of torture.

 The pre-trial investigation in this criminal proceeding will be carried out by the investigation department of the Security Service of Ukraine in Transcarpathian region, under the procedural control of the Prosecutor’s Office of Transcarpathian region.

 To note:

Under Part 2 of Art. 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the commission of this crime is punishable by imprisonment for a term of three to eight years with the deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term up to three years.

Recall that, immediately after the incident was publicized, residents of the village of Nyzhni Vorota went to the rally and blocked the Kyiv-Chop highway right near the checkpoint.

The Main Office of the National Police in Transcarpathia told the Mukachevo.net that they had been informed about the blockade of the road at 16:05.

– In the village of Nyzhni Vorota, 70 people were walking on a pedestrian crossing. At the scene, the police ensured public order. After a conversation, at 17.20 everyone dispersed. There were no violations of public order, – law enforcement officers said.

In turn, the Patrol Police Department also responded to the incident.

At present, the incident has been registered in the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations. Also, by order of the Patrol Police Department, an official investigation was organized to determine the involvement of patrol police officers in the situation.

The patrol policemen told the Mukachevo.net that they had initiated an official investigation.

– The senior officer of the crew, that was on duty at the post Nyzhni Vorota, at the time when the incident occurred, will be suspended from performing official duties for the time of the official investigation, – the patrol policemen said.