Vitsebsk: prosecutor demands two years of imprisonment for human rights defender Leanid Svetsik

On 8 July at the hearings of the criminal case against the human rights defender Leanid Svetsik at Vitsebsk oblast court the prosecutor asked the judge to punish the defendant with two years in jail.

The trial will continue tomorrow, on 9 July. Mr. Svetsik will have his last word, after which the court will pronounce the verdict.

Bear in mind that the human rights defendant is accused under Article 130 of the Criminal Code – fomentation of racial, national or religious enmity. Leanid Svetsik pleads innocent and considers the legal proceedings as revenge of the authorities for his human rights activities.

Mr. Svetsik used to help victims of threat letters, sent by Vitsebsk branch of the Russian National Unity (illegal Russian neo-Nazi organization), in composing complaints and addresses to the appropriate state organs. However, after a nine-hour search in his apartment, the local KGB branch accused him of sending this letters. None of the people who have received such letters believe that Leanid Svetsik is guilty.