Sapelka: “Incredibly long prison sentences for honest and brave people are staggering in their inhumanity”

On January 9, the Lieninski District Court of Minsk started to hear the closing arguments in Viasna trial. The prosecution is seeking to sentence the Nobel Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski to 12 years in a penal colony, Viasna deputy chair Valiantsin Stefanovic to 11 years, lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich to 9 years, and  Zmitser Salauyou who is tried in absentia to 10 years. Viasna human rights advocate Pavel Sapelka spoke out about the enormous sentences requested by the prosecutor to his fellows.

"State prosecution's position is blatant and is based on arbitrary and trumped-up accusations against Viasna members and colleagues. In a deep legal crisis, human rights defenders are prosecuted for their legitimate activities in defense of rights and fundamental freedoms, sharing the fate of all dissidents persecuted by the authorities in today's totalitarian Belarus.

We certainly had no illusions about the prospect of fair assessments and conclusions. The political motive of this case predetermines its outcome, but the embodiment of the prosecution's delusional constructs into actual, incredibly long prison terms for honest and courageous people is staggering in its inhumanity.”

Prosecution requests 12-year sentence for Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski

On January 9, the Lieninski District Court of Minsk started to hear the closing arguments in Viasna trial. The prosecution is seeking to sentence the Nobel Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski to 12 years in a penal colony. State prosecutor Aliaksandr Karol claims that the guilt of human rights defenders of smuggling by an organized group under Part 4 Article 228 of the Criminal Code and financing of group actions grossly violating the public order under Part 2 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code has been fully proven.