Promo-LEX lawyers will demand harsher punishment for the first seven persons convicted in the case of Andrei Braguta, who died in jail after ill-treatment. The NGO will file an appeal against the initial sentence at the Court of Appeal and says that the police officers are guilty of allowing inhumane and degrading treatment against Braguta, including torture. The lawyers will also demand harsher punishments against Braguta’s former cellmates, IPN reports.

In its press release, Promo-LEX argues that this case highlights system-wide issues regarding the behavior of officers and the management of cases involving persons with disabilities. The case also brought to light problems concerning the abusive use of preventive arrest measures, torture and inhumane treatment in jails. 

On Friday, July 19, the court slapped a suspended sentence of five years in jail on three of Andrei Braguta’s former cellmates. Another cellmate, still in jail, got five years added to his prison term. One of the police officers got four years in jail, while another one receive a suspended sentence of five years. The third officer was acquitted.