All news

Moscow working to protect rights of Russian soccer fans in Warsaw prison

Four Russians detained in Poland during Euro 2012 are free from custody, Russian Ambassador to Warsaw Alexander Alexeyev said earlier

MOSCOW, July 3 (Itar-Tass) — Moscow is working to protect the rights of Russian soccer fans remaining in custody in Warsaw, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Tuesday.

“Until recently there had been seven Russian soccer fans in custody. They were detained during clashes related to the Euro 2012 matches. The court heard the cases of four Russians today. We are pleased to say that thanks to the taken efforts and assistance of local lawyers, the court freed them and they will be able to leave Poland soon,” Lukashevich said.

“Three compatriots remain in the Warsaw prison. They are sentenced to two to three months of custody,” Lukashevich said. “The rulings were appealed. As far as we know, the appeals court will hear the cases next week. We continue to work on the provision of rights of our compatriots.”

Four Russians detained in Poland during Euro 2012 are free from custody, Russian Ambassador to Warsaw Alexander Alexeyev said earlier.

“Four Russian citizens are released on our guarantee. They will appear at the prosecutor’s office for questioning if necessary. Poland does not bar them from going home, so they can return to Russia,” he said.

The Russians were detained in the clashes, which occurred on the days of soccer matches of the national team. They were suspected of fighting and attacking police officers. The Warsaw court ruled to hear their case in the regular procedure and ordered their arrest of three months.

The police and prosecutors held the investigation for several weeks, and the investigation deadlines were changed several times, last time until July 3. Senior councilor of the Russian Embassy in Poland, head of the consular department in Warsaw Dmitry Nesterov met with a Warsaw district prosecutor on Tuesday noon. He announced after the meeting that it was decided to release the Russians from custody. One of the released Russians, a diabetic patient, was met by his family, and the three others were taken to the embassy.

“The embassy will give full assistance to the freed compatriots, including air tickets and accommodation,” Alexeyev said.

Another three Russians were sentenced in June. One of them was sentenced to three months of arrest, and the two others to two months. The court will hear their appeals on July 10.