Regional Court in Białystok ruled that the two man accused of abducting a 25-year-old woman and her 3-year-old daughter would be remanded in custody for three months. One of the accused is the little girl's father. The decision isn't legally binding and the accused may appeal against it.
The request for temporary arrest was issued by the District Prosecutor's Office in Białystok, where the two men were charged on Saturday. They are facing 3 months to 5 years in prison.
Judge Beata Wołosik said: "with regard to both men, the court has decided to apply preventive measure in the form of temporary detention for the duration of three months, that is until the 6th of June 2019".
The judge explained that there is a strong probability that the suspects may have indeed committed the crime. She added, that in the court's opinion, there is a risk of obstruction of justice. "The court assumed a real risk of perjury on the accused part, as well as of any other unlawful influence that could harm the initial investigation," said judge Wołosik.
The accused have the right to appeal against the court's decision within seven days of its announcement.
Asked if the accused gave any statements before the court, judge Wołosik confirmed. "Cezary R. gave a detailed statement and tried to convince the court that he was innocent and that he was driven only by the well-being of both the mother and her daughter. The other suspect pleaded guilty to some of the accusations and gave a very brief statement," said judge Wołosik.
The father of the 3-year-old Amelka and the woman's husband has pleaded not guilty of the presented charges. According to his statement, his wife freely entered the car. According to the materials gathered by the prosecution, it was quite the opposite. The other man admitted to taking part in the abduction and helping Amelka's father, but denied using any violence against the victims.
The woman and her child were abducted on Thursday, before noon, at one of residential estates in Białystok. According to the police, two perpetrators pushed the 25-year-old and and her 3-year-old daughter into the car and drove away. A few hundred metres further they abandoned the navy citroën they were driving.
After the child was reported missing on Thursday afternoon, the Child Alert was issued together with the picture of the mother. On Friday morning, the police also published a photograph of the woman's husband, the child's father. It turned out that he was the man who had rented the car used for the abduction. The search operation involved, among other things, increased road checks on main routes around Białystok.
The search mission lasted over 24 hours. On Friday afternoon, in Ostrołęka (Masovian Voivodeship), the police rescued the woman and her daughter. Information from the Child Alert system was a significant help. Thanks to the efforts, two men were detained: the woman's husband who is also the father of the 3-year-old and his friend.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP