Mother whose son died in detention facility: Investigators label my son as drug addict and alcoholic

The mother of Ihar Ptsichkin, who died in a temporary detention facility in Minsk in August 2013, received an official answer from the Prosecutor General's Office to her complaint about actions by investigators.

The document is signed by I. Seurykou, the head of the department of the supervision over the administration of justice by the Investigation Committee, Radio Svaboda reports.

According to the answer, the criminal case of Ihar Ptsichkin was requested for a further examination in connection with the arguments provided in the complaint.

Zhanna Ptsichkina wrote in her complaint that the case had a lot of controversies.

“Aliaksei Krylou, a paramedic at the detention facility who tied my son at 11 a.m. on Saturday, didn't visit him until Sunday morning, didn't provide medical care, didn't call a doctor on duty, was found not guilty. Instigators deny that my son was severely beaten, though he had numerous bruises, scratches, wounds and rope marks. It was documented after Ihar's death. We have all documents, examination reports and photographs. I think he was tortured in the detention facility. Investigators label my son as a drug addict and alcoholic and claim he was suffering withdrawal symptoms,” she says.

The case of Ihar Ptsichkin consists of 20 volumes. Zhanna Ptsichkina was reading it for a month.

“I went to the Investigation Committee every day and spent there 7-8 hours reading and copying certain fragments by hand, as I wasn't allowed to use a copier. I am not allowed to make any details public. If my son is a drug addict and alcoholic, as the investigators say, why are they so afraid? I want a new investigation of the case. I will apply to the Supreme Court of Belarus and international courts,” she says.

Ihar Ptsichkin, 21, died in the temporary detention facility in Minsk in August 2013. Accoding to official documents, the death was caused by pain shock and heart failure. The Investigation Committee, who investigated the case, concluded that Ihar Ptsichkin used drugs and was involved in drug distribution. Relatives suppose he died of beating in the detention centre and failure to provide medical attention.