Aleh Vouchak: Minister would be dismissed for “human shield” in other country

Human rights activist Aleh Vouchak thinks high-rank officials, responsible for a decision to form a “human shield” should be involved in the case.

“Road militia officers could do this only by order of the commandment, at least by order of the directorate of the Minsk district militia department. A minister of internal affaires would be dismissed in a normal country. Even if the principal officers weren’t charged, they should be main witnesses at the trial. If these officials are not present at the trial, it may be unfair,” Aleh Vouchak told to Radio Svaboda commenting on the proceeding.

It should be reminded that today the court of the Minsk region in Zaslaue has heard a criminal case against road militia officers, who are suspected in forming a “human shield” of private cars to stop an offender.

On 2 March 2008 road militia officers took part in stopping a drunken driver Raman Mentsyuk on Minsk-Mikashevichy highway. Road militia officers formed a “human shield” from some cars with five adults and a child inside to stop the driver. Militia major Henadz Daraqhakupets and his subordinate senior lieutenant Alyaksei Likhtarovich are accused of abuse of power. A respective article of the Criminal Code carries a punishment of up three years of imprisonment.