Prag: Latest from Prague legal team (fwd)

LEGAL UPDATE FROM PRAGUE
by The Prague Legal Support Team
3:35am Tue Oct 17 '00 address:
Prague phone: (0042) 0608/721 677
praguelegalsupport@purpleturtle.com

At least two criminal accustions
against the police have already been filed, and
many more are being processed. There are 20
people confirmed still in prison, more missing
and possibly in jail. Of the charges filed the
only evidence for almost all of them is
testimony of police officers. The last report
from the jails stated the many prisoners are
still experiencing physical abuse, especially
mistreated are those from Eastern and Central
European countries.

Prague Legal Support Team Update 17.10.2000

We are still asking that anyone arrested during
the IMF/WB protests who has not called us to
tell us that they were released please do so.
Also, if you called to report someone missing or
arrested and you know that they are okay please
let us know. Our database still shows over 200
people missing or in jail-which is completely
inaccurate.

We, along with OPH, are asking people, if they
are willing, who were arrested and mistreated to
file a criminal accusation (or at least a
complaint) against the police. Also, we are
asking people who have been released to write an
account of their experience, which could
possibly be used in human rights and criminal
cases. Both of these things are very important
to both hold the Police accountable for what
they have done, and to help stop the increasing
criminalization of protests and activism. If you
have not yet received an email with more
information on both of these things, please
email or call us to request it. Email:
praguelegalsupport@purpleturtle.com Phone (Czech
Rep.): Legal Support: (0042)0608/721 677 Jiri
Kopal, OPH: (0042)0608/719 535 As always,
anything you send to us will be kept completely
confidential unless you request otherwise.

**We are looking for video, photos, or audio of
police violence/illegal acts, people being
arrested, plain clothes police, announcements
>from the police, etc. If you have any of these
things (or more) documented PLEASE PLEASE
contact us- they are of incalculable value for
use as evidence.**

Important Note: It is our current policy not to
release the names of prisoners without, if at
all possible, getting their (the prisoners')
permission. Also, despite rumours to the
contrary, the Prague Legal Support Team is not
part of INPEG. We are an independent group.

==============================================

There are still a confirmed 20 people in jail.

1-2 Czech. At least one still held in prison and
charged, identity unknown, charges unknown,
prison where held-unknown.

7 Hungarians. We have their names, although they
were not released to anyone by the Ministry of
Interior. They have lawyers, only two of them
private. They are charged with "Assault of a
Public Official"(police assault). They are
reportedly receiving especially bad treatment.
Held in Pankrac Prison, Prague 4.

1 German. Has a private lawyer. Family is in
Prague- not allowed to see him until the 18th
because police claim they have a document signed
by him stating he does not want to see them. Was
given an opportunity to plea guilty and be
released-he refused and claims innocence.
Charged with police assault and held in Pankrac
Prison, Prague 4.

2 Danish persons. We know the identities of
both, whose families are in Prague, they are
charged with police assault.

2 Polish persons. We know of one of them because
the family contacted us. It is confirmed that
one of them is being held in Pankrac, is wounded
in the head and being especially mistreated. Of
the other one we have no information but his
name.

1 person from the United Kingdom. We know his
identity. He was arrested days after the
protests while on his way to the border, and
accused of property damage, of which he claims
himself innocent. He has bail: originally it
stood at 120.000 crowns and has changed, or
there is an offer of him paying a fine of 30000
crowns for the damage he is accused of and being
released.

2 Spaniards. We know their identities and their
families are in Prague. They have a private
lawyer and are charged with property damage. The
lawyer has suggested they claim themselves
guilty and pay the damage they are accused of,
and they could then be set free. It is unclear
what they will do. They are being held at
Pankrac.

2 Romanians. We do not know their identities or
their charges. Reports say these people are
experiencing particularly harsh abuse.

1 Austrian. We know his identity and he has a
lawyer, charge police assault. He is only 16
years old. The only evidence the government has
for his case is the testimony of police
officers.

There is also 1 Ukrainian woman who, despite the
rumours stating otherwise, was in Balkova
(Border Police Jail) for reasons unrelated the
protests. The last time she was seen, on the
29th, she had been badly beaten. She is still
being held in custody.

There is also an estimated 3 people missing
possibly imprisoned:

2 Kurdish people (country unknown) arrested
during the demonstrations were not released from
Balkova along with other prisoners on the 29th.
We haven't heard from them since and we do not
have their names.

1 person from the USA. All known Americans were
released before October 1, the American Embassy
says that all Americans have been released. But,
the press release from the Czech Embassy in
London stated there is still one American
citizen held in prison and charged. We do not
know who this person is.

The Ministry of Interior has said they have
signed documents stating that some prisoners do
not want to be contacted. There is evidence that
these documents have been signed after extreme
physical and psychological abuse, and to papers
in a language they do not understand. Of the
people still in jail, almost all have, for the
past three weeks, been subject to treatment
which is inhumane, including severe physical
abuse