Investigation into death of Belarusian civil activist Bondarenko suspended due to absence of accused in his case

MINSK. Sept 17 (Interfax) – The investigation into the death of civil activist Roman Bondarenko has been suspended, the Belarusian Prosecutor General’s Office said on Friday.

"The investigation into the criminal case opened based on the death of Roman Bondarenko has been suspended […] as an accused has not been identified," the Prosecutor General’s Office said on Telegram.

"Under the […] Code of Criminal Procedure and following the suspension of proceedings in the case, measures are being taken to identify an accused," the prosecutors said.

Bondarenko, 31, died on November 12, 2020, following an altercation in Minsk. The media said he left his building on the evening of November 11 to find unknown persons in masks taking white-red-white ribbons off a fence outside. A brawl ensued. Bondarenko was pushed back and hit his head. He died at the hospital. His death triggered a broad public response.

According to the Belarusian Investigative Committee, Bondarenko was drunk and sustained injuries in a brawl. The Investigative Committee said that Bondarenko was taken to the Minsk central police station to clarify the details of the incident, and an ambulance was later called.

No one was detained for beating Bondarenko. On February 18, the Prosecutor General’s Office opened a criminal case based on deliberate infliction of severe bodily harm resulting in a person’s wrongful death. The prosecutors said the involvement of police officers in the infliction of bodily injuries on Bondarenko had not been established.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko offered his condolences to Bondarenko’s relatives on November 13, 2020. Lukashenko said the authorities did not stand to gain from the man’s death.