Some answers

We went back to our court yesterday to talk to the secretary there again and see if anything had been sent over to the appeals court yet. She had our information out already and was able to explain the situation. The prosecutor had 10 days to pick up an application for an appeal, but she has 20 days to turn it in. Even though our court hearing was on Friday, July 11, the official judgement didn't get turned in until Monday, July 14, so that is when the 10/20 days started. So the prosector has until August 5 to submit her reason for the appeal, which she has not done yet. That is why the appeals court did not have any documentation. The secretary said that the prosecutor did not give a reason for the appeal. She thought that maybe the prosecutor is wanting a bribe, which is what we have suspected from the beginning. The judge told us right from the start not to contact the prosecutor, so maybe he suspects it too. The secretary ended up calling the prosecutor to find out if she really has a reason for the appeal. The prosecutor said that she is preparing her complaint and will try to get it in by Friday. Andrei told us that the judge said the prosecutor can't appeal because she did not participate in the hearing, but the secretary at the court said that she still has a right to appeal even if she wasn't there. We're still hoping that the appeal will be thrown out once it is actually submitted. If it is, then hopefully we can get Vacya next week and get the process finished and come home the following week. If the appeal is accepted, there will be another hearing, which could be scheduled anytime (soon or not for another month). Joe's work has been really great and told him not to worry about his job, so he's going to be staying here with me.