Englishman suspected of corrupting minors faces 9 years in jail

ASTANA . KAZINFORM - Englishman Peter Baruch suspected of corrupting minors faces up to 9 years in prison, according to "Express-K".
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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. The criminal case against Peter Baruch was opened on January 14 when the mother of a 12-year old girl reported to the police that he was taking pictures of her naked daughter in his room in Chagala hotel in Uralsk. When the 38-year old Briton saw the police coming he tried to destroy all his equipment and memory devices but failed. During the search of the hotel room the police officers 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.

Lawyer of Peter Baruch 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 carried out the search of the room 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.

Uralsk Prosecutor's office disagreed with the decision of the court and lodged an appeal to the court of second instance (court of West Kazakhstan region).

The judgement of the regional court is good news for the parents of six teenage girls who have filed complaints against Peter 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. Now Peter Baruch, who worked in West Kazakhstan region, faces up to nine years in prison. By the way, Baruch Peter Daniel Alfred is married, he has got bachelor degree and was not previously brought to trial.

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