A Hrodna court sentenced 55-year-old Maryna Palikarpava to two years of freedom restriction at a home prison. She was accused of violence against female riot police officers, spring96.org reports.
It happened on the evening of August 9, when a rally against election fraud was held in Hrodna. The pharmacist Maryna Palikarpava was detained and severely beaten by two representatives of the riot police – Daria Bandarchuk and Maryia Mazurkevich.
Bandarchuk applied a strangulation to Palikarpava, who instinctively bit her hand in order to protect herself. “I was really scared for my life,” the accused explained. As a result, a criminal case was opened against the woman under Article 364 of the Criminal Code (Violence or threat of violence against an employee of the internal affairs bodies).
In the court room, Maryna Palikarpava said:
“I partially admit my guilt, I emotionally defended myself and my life. The conflict started after Bandarchuk and Mazurkevich insulted me in a rude and obscene manner. I ask the court to take into account all the circumstances: the petitions and my 35 years of work experience.”
The judge Ruslan Huryn sentenced her to two years of freedom restriction without sending the woman to a correctional institution. She also has to pay 1,500 BYN in favor of the victims, 162 rubles of the state duty, as well as 440 rubles and 40 kopecks of expenses for forensic medical examination.
