Trial of Czech entomologists gets underway in India
The trial of two Czech entomologists – detained near Darjeeling, India in June for the alleged smuggling of rare insects – has gotten underway in India. 51-year-old Petr Švácha, a respected scientist both at home and internationally, and his colleague Emil Kučera, 52, spent a month in prison and now a month released on bail before their case reached trial. Both have denied any wrong-doing, including recent reports they had admitted to the charges of smuggling – which carry sentences between two to seven years in prison. Recent reports revealed both men had signed some 20 blank documents by officials when first taken into custody, which were later allegedly “doctored” to appear as confessions. On Monday Jan Velinger spoke to the Czech Ambassador to New Dehli, Hynek Kmoníček, asking him about the potential impact of those papers.
“That’s for the court and for the judge to say. It’s clear that the documents will be used by the prosecution. I personally, as well as the Czech Embassy, was aware quite a while back that these blank documents existed: both men informed me about them when I visited them in jail in Darjeeling some two months ago. The court has all the evidence how to judge impartially, how to treat these documents and we believe that justice will be done in this case.”
Ambassador Kmoníček, you mentioned that you were able to visit both men in Darjeeling and I presume you have been in contact with them since: how would you describe their spirits as the case gets underway?
“They first spent one month in jail, which was a very hard experience especially in view of their age but also their standing in the scientific community. The jail was relatively small, they were there with 29 other prisoners, and the facilities were what one might expect. After one month they were released on bail and when the Indian authorities came to understand that neither would try to escape India – just the opposite, they were happy their case would finally go to court – the authorities even lessened earlier requirements, such as reporting to the local police. Right now we are in continued contact with them here from the Czech Embassy and we give them all possible consular support and they are in relatively positive mood. For the first time they are in a situation where they can present their side of the story before an impartial court.”
Given from what you know about this case as well as about the Indian legal system, are you confidant the case will have a positive outcome?
“Definitely. A case like that is very unfortunate for the Czech Republic and India. It doesn’t help our traditionally very good and very friendly relations. Basically, what happened is that the two scientists were doing research without the proper permit, so most of the time I make the parallel they were like professional drivers caught on the road without their license, although they have valid licenses at home. So they definitely deserve punishment for one thing they did: not having a permit. But all the other allegations are pure nonsense.”
A big difference between not having a permit and intentionally smuggling rare insects…
“Exactly.”
The trial is scheduled to continue throughout the week, with a possible verdict as early as Friday.
