Interrogation of UCP leader Anatol Labedzka charged with libel against the President Postponed to 26 March

23.03.2004.

The first questioning of Anatol Labedzka, arranged for 23 March, did not take place today. It was postponed to 26 March because Labedzka’s lawyer Pavel Sapelka was not able to be present during the interrogation. Anatol Labedzka told the RFE/RL reporter, accurate implementation of the legal investigation procedures is the evidence of attention of the prosecutor’s office to the case. Most likely the reason is close attention of independent mass media, including the Russian ones, to proceedings against Labedzka. On Saturday the RTR Zerkalo program repeated his interview which led to criminal charges and showed Labedzka’s comment on the development of events. According to Anatol Labedzka, the investigator either does not want to take additional responsibility or wants to demonstrate his commitment to the law and procedures.
The first interrogation will take place on Friday, 26 March. There is still a threat of Labedzka’s arrest during the investigation.

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