HRODNA BPF CHAIR ON TRIAL
Siarhei Malchyk, chair of Hrodna Belarusian Popular Front will stand trial on 10 September. Malchyk was detained during celebration of the Day of Belarusian Military Glory on 8 September. Together with 2 other detainees he was taken to Leninski borough police station of Hrodna.
About two dozen people participated in the celebration. They brought flowers to the memorial signs in the New Castle and near Kalozha Church. When the action was over, the police invited Valer Kisel, Young Front activist, to the police station for "personal identification". Valer was able to leave right after the end of his passport check-up. Siarhei Malchyk, chairperson of Hrodna branch of Belarusian Popular Front, was detained for 3 hours. He was accused of using unregistered symbols and active participation in an unauthorized rally. He will stand trial on 10 September.
Malchyk's seven-year-old son had to wait for his father outside the police station.
Viktar Sazonaw, chair of Hrodna Belarusian Social-Democratic Hramada, got detained right in the building of the police station.
-- Captain Zavadzki invited me to the police station, supposedly to talk with Siarhei Malchyk, to let him know his son was alright, -- says Viktar Sazonaw, -- However, the moment I walked into the police building, they detained me and made me write an explanatory note.
The police observed the celebration with great attention. Several police cars relentlessly followed the group of participants. Two trucks, full of policemen, were in readiness near the fire tower and Zamkavaya Street. The action was filmed by two people in plain clothes.
