Police courts as a tool of repression used by the Russian authorities against the protest movement in the western governorates (1861–1862)

Abstract

The article presents the establishment of police courts in the western provinces of the Russian Empire (Vilnius, Grodno, Kaunas, Minsk, Mogilev, Vitebsk, Kiev, Volhynia, and Podolia) in 1861 and analyses their practical functioning. The establishment of these courts by the Russian authorities in August 1861 was related to a wave of anti-government demonstrations (the demonstration movement). The jurisdiction of the police courts included minor political offences not involving violence – primarily singing Polish patriotic hymns and wearing national symbols and traditional costumes. The purpose of establishing police courts was to quickly punish participants in demonstrations through formal court proceedings, while maintaining the appearance of legality of the authorities' actions. The period of their most intense activity lasted from September to the end of 1861. These courts did not have consistent standards of operation and, in practice, functioned as an ad hoc tool of local administration to suppress manifestations of political disloyalty. The activities of the police courts varied depending on the region and the approach of individual governors, with the highest activity recorded in the Ukrainian governorates. Most cases ended in acquittal or exemption from punishment, which caused dissatisfaction among the central authorities and led to accusations of disloyalty against the judges. As a result, the police courts ultimately failed to meet expectations as an effective tool of repression.