Domestic abuser

The Prosecutor of Verkhnedvinsk District has initiated a criminal case under Article 153 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus against a resident of the district, A.

It has been established that on one of the days in September of the current year, A., driven by suddenly arising animosity, intentionally brutally beat his wife T. in front of local residents of the village where the couple resides.

A. inflicted at least four blows with his hands and feet to the face and body of his wife T., causing her bodily injuries in the form of a fractured nose and numerous bruises to the face and body, which collectively constitute minor bodily injuries due to short-term health disorder.

A.'s actions have been qualified under Article 153 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (intentional infliction of minor bodily injury, i.e., injury causing short-term health disorder).

A crime provided for by Article 153 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus is a private prosecution case and is initiated upon the application of the victim of the crime.

The victim T. refused to file a statement and bring her husband to criminal responsibility, as she fears retaliation from him, as well as other negative consequences for her. It has also been established that conflicts frequently occurred between the spouses in the past, during which A. repeatedly beat T. The latter has applied to law enforcement agencies on this matter at least 5 times.

In accordance with Part 5 of Article 26 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Belarus, the prosecutor has the right to initiate a criminal case for crimes classified as private prosecution cases, even in the absence of an application from the victim of the crime, if they affect the substantial interests of the state and society, or are committed against a person who is in a subordinate or other dependent position to the accused, or for other reasons is unable to independently protect their rights and legitimate interests.

Considering the circumstances of the commission of the crime, A.'s behavior, and his lifestyle, a criminal case has been initiated against the latter by the District Prosecutor in accordance with Part 5 of Article 26 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Belarus, as the failure to bring A. to criminal responsibility for the crime committed against T. may lead to A. committing other, including more serious, crimes, both against his wife and against other persons, thereby affecting the substantial interests of the state and society.

The criminal case has been sent to the Head of the Verkhnedvinsk District Department of the Investigative Committee for preliminary investigation.

District Prosecutor                                                                       S.P. Garbus