Andrei Klimau to Be Tried for Insult of Aliaksandr Lukashenka at Closed Trial

On 6 April Minsk Pershamaiski Borough Court appointed the beginning of the trial of Andrei Klimau, former political prisoner, deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the 13th Convocation and businessman. He is charged with defamation and insult of Aliaksandr Lukashenka.

How has Andrei Klimau insulted Lukashenka? The case against Klimau was brought in the end of 2004 and in March 2005 it was passed to the court. The accusation states the books and fly-sheets issued by the politician (“I’ve Made My Choice”, “Walks with Vampire”, “Evident Truths”, “Riot 2005”, “Revolution”) contain insulting remarks about the president, accompanied with accusations in felonies. Andrei Klimau doesn’t take the blame.

Judge Ananich declared the trial would be closed, but didn’t explain the reasons. The acting chair of Minsk Pershamaiski Borough Court didn’t answer to journalists either. Even the head of the court chancellery said: “The acting chair of the court ordered us to give no information”. There’s still no information about who will represent Lukashenka. Meanwhile, Klimau’s friend Leanid Malakhau was also summoned to this trial. During the investigation of the criminal case against Klimau he was interrogated as a witness.

In his turn Andrei Klimau said he refused from the advocatory services. He stated that he would go to the court to prove that Belarus had people who weren’t afraid of the court self-will or other pressurization of Lukashenka on opposition.

By the way, in 2000 Klimau was sentenced to a prison term. The formal reason for it was his business activity, but many people said it was Lukashenka’s personal revenge.