City court decision overruled: British corruption of minors case in force

PEter Baruch. ©uralskweek.kz/Raul Uporov

The Criminal Board of Appeals of the West Kazakhstan regional court has satisfied the prosecutor’s protests and recognized the actions of the police during the search of the British contractor's hotel room as lawful, Tengrinews reports citing Interfax-Kazakhstan. “After examining the case on Friday the board of the regional court overruled the decision of the city court and satisfied the prosecutor’s protest,” the agency's source said. The criminal case against Peter Baruch was initiated on January 14 when the mother of a 12 y.o girl reported to the police that he was taking pictures of her naked daughter in his room in Chagala hotel in Uralsk town. When the 38 y.o British national saw the police coming he tried to destroy all his equipment and memory sticks, but failed. During the search of the hotel room the police found 600 photos of underage naked girls. Baruch was charged with Production and distribution of child pornography, or engaging minors in pornographic events that is punishable with 2 to 8 years in prison in Kazakhstan. Peter Baruch’s lawyer filed at motion asking the judge to recognize violations in the procedure of seizure of the evidences by the police and to drop the Production and distribution of child pornography, or engaging minors in pornographic events charges. It was not clear if the police conducted the search without a warrant or committed other violations in the processes. The court of the first instance agreed with the defendant's lawyer, ruled the evidence unlawfully obtained and ordered the police to free the suspect and return him his passport. The Prosecutor's office in Uralsk disagreed with the decision of the court and lodged an appeal to the second instance court (regional court). The decision of the regional court is good news for the parents of 6 girls who have filed complaints against Baruch. Three of the girls are from Uralsk town and three are from Atyrau where the British national used to work for an oil company before moving to Uralsk. In an interview a few days ago the mother of his 12-y.o. victim said that he not only photographed his daughter naked, but also tried to kiss her and called her "my love". Her daughter is afraid to walk home alone, since the police had to release the offender.

The Criminal Board of Appeals of the West Kazakhstan regional court has satisfied the prosecutor’s protests and recognized the actions of the police during the search of the British contractor's hotel room as lawful, Tengrinews reports citing Interfax-Kazakhstan. “After examining the case on Friday the board of the regional court overruled the decision of the city court and satisfied the prosecutor’s protest,” the agency's source said. The criminal case against Peter Baruch was initiated on January 14 when the mother of a 12 y.o girl reported to the police that he was taking pictures of her naked daughter in his room in Chagala hotel in Uralsk town. When the 38 y.o British national saw the police coming he tried to destroy all his equipment and memory sticks, but failed. During the search of the hotel room the police found 600 photos of underage naked girls. Baruch was charged with Production and distribution of child pornography, or engaging minors in pornographic events that is punishable with 2 to 8 years in prison in Kazakhstan. Peter Baruch’s lawyer filed at motion asking the judge to recognize violations in the procedure of seizure of the evidences by the police and to drop the Production and distribution of child pornography, or engaging minors in pornographic events charges. It was not clear if the police conducted the search without a warrant or committed other violations in the processes. The court of the first instance agreed with the defendant's lawyer, ruled the evidence unlawfully obtained and ordered the police to free the suspect and return him his passport. The Prosecutor's office in Uralsk disagreed with the decision of the court and lodged an appeal to the second instance court (regional court). The decision of the regional court is good news for the parents of 6 girls who have filed complaints against Baruch. Three of the girls are from Uralsk town and three are from Atyrau where the British national used to work for an oil company before moving to Uralsk. In an interview a few days ago the mother of his 12-y.o. victim said that he not only photographed his daughter naked, but also tried to kiss her and called her "my love". Her daughter is afraid to walk home alone, since the police had to release the offender.

Uralsk child children Court crime Great Britain Kazakh Kazakhstan news photograph photographer porn prosecutor sex industry UK British