České Budějovice police officer who beat a youth is sent to court

The regional prosecutor’s office in České Budějovice filed an indictment on 18 September against a police officer who brutally attacked a surrendering youth in May. The case has gone to the district court in České Budějovice; according to prosecutors, the legal classification of the offence remains the same.

“In this case, a prosecutor has already filed an indictment on the proposal of the General Inspectorate,” confirmed Jakub Augusta, spokesman for the General Inspectorate of Security Forces (GIBS). The inspectorate passed the case on and referred further questions to the prosecutor’s office.

The district court has received the indictment. “The judge in charge is taking the necessary steps. I cannot inform you about them yet, because the parties to the proceedings first have the right to familiarise themselves with them,” said the court’s spokeswoman. Documents are now being sent out to the participants, and delivery is awaited. The court could provide more details on the next steps in about two to three weeks. The spokeswoman did not yet confirm whether a date for the main hearing has been set.

The incident took place on 17 May in the Mladé district of České Budějovice. A patrol was originally called there over a report of a public order disturbance. One of the young men ran from the police but stopped after a few metres. Footage posted on social media shows the officer then moving in on the young man while his hands are above his head and he makes it clear he will not resist, hitting him repeatedly and kicking him on the ground.

In June, GIBS launched criminal proceedings against the officer on suspicion of abuse of power by a public official and attempted bodily harm. The inspectorate said at the time that the officer had used his powers beyond the limits of his legal authority.

Nevertheless, the officer remained in service. South Bohemian police said at the end of June that, by decision of his superior, he would perform administrative duties “until the end of the investigation.” The investigation has now ended with an indictment, and the newspaper asked the South Bohemian police again whether the officer remains in service and whether his assignment has changed since the indictment. No reply had arrived by the time of publication.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz