International Observation Mission calls for publicity of 19 December trials

The International Observation Mission has addressed chairs of Minsk district courts with a demand to guarantee the publicity of the forthcoming court proceedings on charges against the persons involved in the 19 December 2010 mass riot criminal case.

On 26 and 27 April, Minsk courts are due to open hearings of a number of cases against civil and political activists facing charges of involvement in the 19 December 2010 events, including Zmitser Bandarenka, Andrei Sannikau and Fiodar Mirzayanau. According to the Mission representatives, the trials are of great social importance and are likely to attract wide public attention and media coverage.

“We believe that avoiding biased reactions on the trials calls for chairs of courts to arrange them in spacious rooms, so that everyone could attend them. In case it is impossible, they should arrange audio broadcast of the hearings. There is an established principle in the international practice: "Not only must Justicе be done; it must also be seen to be done." Justice should be not only fair, but it also should be witnessed by society”, says Valentin Gefter, spokesman of the International Observation Mission.