PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES NOT ALLOWED TO COURT HEARINGS. JUDGE REFERES TO DECREE # 13.
On 27 may 2003 Leninski borough court of Hrodna Judge A. Prakopik did not allow Uladzimir Labkovich and Yury Chavusaw to represent Alexander Milinkevich in court. Milinkevich, head of Hrodna regional NGO “Ratusha”, is charged with administrative offence. The Judge referred to the presidential Decree #13. Such denial was illegal and violated Art 62 of the Constitution, as well as the Rulings of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of 25 March 1999, which provide for the right of each citizen to have representatives during proceedings. Neither U. Labkovich, nor Yu. Chavusaw represented non-governmental organizations, and were not eligible for the norms of Decree #13.
The trial was suspended for uncertain period in conjunction with illness of the member of administrative committee, which charged Milinkevich and whose decision Milinkevich appealed against.
