Irkutsk investigators tried to interrogate a minor without a lawyer or a subpoena

Investigators in Irkutsk tried to interrogate, without a subpoena or a lawyer, minor Vasilisa Istomina, who is serving as a witness in the case of activist Dmitry Litvin (he is accused of insulting the feelings of believers). Radio Liberty reported this on June 1.

On May 29, Istomina received a call from an unfamiliar number and, without introducing herself, asked where she was. The girl refused to answer.

“They called me back with the words: “Why are you hanging up?!” This is the police!“ The caller began to find out why I was not at my place of registration, and gave my home address. I called my mother and we agreed to meet with a man who introduced himself over the phone as a policeman, but my friends informed me in time that such actions were illegal: we were not given a summons, and they did not tell me my status during interrogation. As a result, we decided not to take risks and first consulted with lawyers. I went to the interrogation with a lawyer whom human rights activists found for me. But it’s still scary: the police officers have already committed many violations in this case. Other witnesses were dragged out of their beds at gunpoint and taken to police stations,” Istomina said.

It was on that day, May 29, that a court hearing was held in Irkutsk on three lawsuits complaining of an illegal search and detention of other witnesses in the Litvin case. The complaints were denied.