15 days in custody for “My cop ok” poster (Video)

• 16.05.2012, 13:17

A young man who brought a creative poster to Chernobyl Way rally has been arrested.

Trial over Ivan Amelchanka was resumed today at 3 pm. He was accused of violating article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences (disorderly conduct). A police report says the defendant mocked policemen.

Ivan Amelchanka filed a motion to give him time to find evidence of his innocence. The judge dismissed the motion and the guy filed a motion to change the judge, but its was also was dismissed.

Ivan Amelchanka said in court the text on his poster should be read in English “My cop ok” (although the same text read in Cyrillic letters is a derogative term for a policeman literally meaning “garbage”). He said he had not shown disregard for a police officer and his poster called on law enforcement officers to observe law.

Policeman Kandratsyeu, who stood near Ivan Amelchanka while he was holding his poster at Chernobyl Way rally, was called to court.

Ivan Amelchanka said the arrow on his poster showed to the rally and policemen in uniform. Kandratsyeu said the young man had known he was a policeman because he had an earphone in his ear, though it was not noticed on video and photos shown during the trial.

Judge Mikhail Khoma sent the young man to custody for 15 days.