Košice police officer accused of rape to be dismissed from service
The police inspectorate has accused a Košice police officer of rape and sexual violence. A court released him, but he is to be removed from the force.
Košice police officer faces charges; superiors initiate dismissal proceedings
A Košice police officer accused last week of rape and sexual violence is soon to leave the force. As confirmed to Aktuality.sk by Lenka Ivanová, spokeswoman for the regional police directorate in Košice, "proceedings to dismiss him from service have been initiated by the appropriate superiors".
The police inspectorate detained and charged the man on Wednesday. According to Andreja Dobiášová, spokeswoman for the Office of Inspection Service, he allegedly committed criminal offences repeatedly and whilst on duty. "His conduct was classified as committing a criminal offence in a more serious manner, for which he faces a prison sentence of up to 15 years," Dobiášová stated.
The prosecutor sought investigative custody for the police officer, fearing that if released he would continue his criminal activity. However, the municipal court in Košice released him on Friday.
Anna Pančurová, spokeswoman for the Regional Court in Košice, explained that the judge hearing the case "immediately released the accused from detention, as the evidence gathered so far does not allow the conclusion that the offence occurred or that the accused committed it". The judge also noted shortcomings in the investigation and saw no grounds for charging, only for initiating criminal prosecution.
According to information from the daily Korzár, police officer Jozef H. faces charges relating to five incidents that allegedly took place between April and July in the premises of the district police station in the Dargovských hrdinov district of Košice. The defence argues that during two of the incidents he was on holiday, and in its complaint pointed to the absence of interviews with the victims and colleagues from the station.
Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok also responded to the case. "I condemn any abuse of police authority. The suspicions in this case are extremely serious, and therefore I expect thorough investigation. The Police Force has no place for police officers who abuse their position," he said.
Police President Jana Maškarová likewise condemned the suspicions of abuse in police custody in an evening statement. "I categorically reject any violence against women, especially if suspicions of its perpetration are directed at members of the Police Force," she expressed.
Source: Aktuality