Zhlobin: trial of Fair World member still underway
A court in Zhlobin
has once again adjourned the trial in the case of Yauhen Basareuski, member of
the "Fair World" Left-wing party, charged under Article 424 of the
Criminal Code ("abuse of power or of a position of authority"). Judge
Ina Sharshniova of Zhlobin District Court put off the hearing till November 14,
without giving any reason.
The
last time the trial, where the state prosecutor asked to sentence the activist
to three years of imprisonment, was held on September 28. Its
continuation was appointed on October 30, but the Judge postponed the hearing
for another two weeks.
In
total, the trial of Yauhen Basareuski has been underway since 2010, when the
activists tried to run in the elections to local councils.
On
the eve of the 2010 local elections, the State Control Committee inspected the department
of municipal property, which for five years (from 2004 to 2009) had been headed
by Yauhen Basareuski. The
SCC found that the company had evaded paying 50% of the rent, which caused
damage to the state of more than 180 million rubles. Yauhen
Basareuski and former accountant of the department Valiantsina Kastsiukevich faced
criminal charges.
Yauhen
Basareuski noted that he had been repeatedly suggested withdrawing from the
election by officials from the executive committee, so as not to face “troubles”.
However, the activist
refused.
According
to Mr. Basareuski, during his years of work in the department all the
inspections had passed without any warnings, while
the last one was held at the time of the elections to local councils and revealed
the alleged violations.
The
Court ordered an additional examination, which showed that some of the revenue
from renting buildings had been regularly paid to the government. Despite
this, the prosecutor demanded to punish Basareuski with three years of
imprisonment.
Yauhen
Basareuski believes that the delays in conducting the trial, which, is apparently
falling apart, show a clear political trail in the criminal case and the
reluctance of local authorities to recognize Basareuski and his former
colleague not guilty of the charges.
