Aliaksandr Hrunou's case

04.02.2016

https://spring96.org/en/news/82180 2016 2016-02-04T20:14:48+0300 2016-02-04T20:14:48+0300 2016-02-18T15:39:30+0300 en The Human Rights Center “Viasna” The Human Rights Center “Viasna” The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

June 14, 2013 the Homieĺ Regional Court sentenced Aliaksandr Hrunovu to the exceptional measure of punishment – execution by shooting.

October 18, 2013 the Judicial Board for Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court considered the cassation appeal of Mr. Hrunou, reversed the death verdict and sent the case was for a new trial.

However, on December 24 the Homieĺ Regional Court sentenced Aliaksandr Hrunou to death again.

April 8, 2014 the Supreme Court upheld the verdict of the Homieĺ Regional Court.

April 9, 2014 an individual communication on behalf of A. Hrunou was registered at the UN Human Rights Committee. In accordance with Rule 97 of the Rules of Procedure of the Committee, the State party was sent a copy of the message with the request to provide the Committee with comments on the merits and not to carry out the death sentence against Aliaksandr Hrunou while his case is pending at the Committee.

November 5, 2014 the lawyer learned that the sentence had been carried out. Currently, the personal communication of A. Hrunou is under consideration by the UN Human Rights Committee. His defenders are waiting for its decision.

Facts

September 20, 2012 A. Hrunou killed an acquaintance, student Natallia Yemialyanchykava, inflicting 102 stab wounds. As he explained at the trial, some time before the meeting the girl had insulted him in the company of friends with a word that was regarded as very insulting among those who used to serve terms in prison. Natallia's brother, who also had a previous conviction and knew the prison rules well enough, explained her that she needed to apologize for her words, which she didn't do.

The court found Aliaksandr Hrunou guilty under paragraph 6 of part of of Art. 139 (murder committed with special cruelty).

Significant violations during the investigation and the circumstances of the case that weren't considered by the court and/or influenced the verdict

- The court did not take into account the mitigating circumstances – Hrunou's voluntary surrender and cooperation with the investigation.

- During the retrial of the case by the Homieĺ Regional Court, the President exercised pressure on the court by stating in the media: “If you are a scoundrel and a bastard, and it's not the first time you commit a crime, kill a man, what right do you have to live on this earth? I am not bloodthirsty, but retribution and punishment should be appropriate. Take it under control."

- The presumption of innocence was violated – even before the verdict of the judicial board of the Homieĺ Regional Court entered into force Hrunou was kept in solitary confinement on the death row in the remand prison of the Police Department of the Homieĺ Regional Executive Committee, where he had to wear clothes with the inscription “ИМН”, “exceptional measure of punishment”.

- As a result of the psychiatric examination the convict was found sane, no drug or alcohol addiction was found. However, he suffered from a mixed personality disorder.