Police in Ukraine have yet to learn about human rights

05 January 1999

Romani Yag, an Uzhgorod-based Roma organisation informed the ERRC of a recent case of police misuse of power in the Transcarpathian region of western Ukraine. On September 15, 1998, at about 6 am, Mr Evhenij Sigeti, a Romani man from Strabichevo, a settlement about 40 km south-east of Uzhgorod, was in his home when several policemen entered his house including the local sheriff, Mr Popereshko. Mr Sigeti and two other relatives of his, who were at his home at that time, were arrested without charges or explanation and taken to the police station of the neighbouring village Luchky. There the daughter of the complaining party, Ms Cherepani Olena, pointed at Mr Sigeti's brother-in-law, Mr Nyri, accusing him of stealing her mother's golden jewelry. Mr Nyri was immediately isolated by the policemen from the rest of the company and, allegedly, he was handcuffed to a battery and beaten to coerce him to a confession of where he had hidden the jewelry. Mr Nyri demanded that he should be confronted with the woman who accused him of the theft for a confirmation, and when Ms Cherepani saw Mr Nyri she did not confirm the accusation but pointed at Mr Sigeti who was subsequently beaten. However, Mr Sigeti asserted an alibi, which was later supported by witness statements and certificates from the local polyclinic. Mr Sigeti also explained that he had a job and therefore did not need to steal. Following this, Mr Sigeti was told by the chief officer of the police station in a threatening tone to leave the village where he lived together with his family, otherwise he would be beaten again. As a result of the bodily harm inflicted by the policemen, Mr Sigeti became blind in one eye and the overall state of his health necessitated hospitalisation. Mr Sigeti requested Romani Yag's help in filing a complaint against the police. He did not demand any compensation for the bodily harm done to him, but sought refutation of the charge brought against him damaging his dignity and reputation. Romani Yag filed a complaint on October 10, 1998 with the prosecutor of the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine Mr Lemak. So far the case has been transferred to the prosecutor for the Mukachevo area. (ERRC)