Criminal persecution of participants of 19 December protest action: trial of Dzmitryieu, Fiaduta, Niakliayeu, Palazhanka, Rymasheuski and Vazniak has started
Uladzimir Niakliayeu. Photo by RFE
The trial of the criminal cases against Andrei Dzmitryieu, Aliaksandr Fiaduta,
Uladzimir Niakliayeu, Anastasia Palazhanka, Vital Rymasheuski and Siarhei
Vazniak has started today at the Frunzenski District Court of Minsk. All of
them are charged with the organization and preparation of actions that grossly
violate the public order, or active participation them (Article 342 of the
Criminal Code, part 1), which envisages up to 3 years of imprisonment.
10.20 a.m. The trial is lead by Judge Zhanna Zhukouskaya with participation of
state accuser Kazheunikau.
The ambassadors of Poland
and Lithuania and the
temporary charge d'affaires of the US, Michale Scanlon are present at
the trial. Several tens of people didn't manage to get to the court hall. They
stand in the corridor and outdoors.
12 a.m. Counsel Bukshtynau solicits for change of restraint to Uladzimir
Niakliayeu. The motion is dismissed by the judge. Mr. Niakliayeu, in his turn,
solicits for dropping the case because of the absence of corpus delicti. His
motion is dismissed as well.
2.35 a.m. The interrogation of Siarhei Vazniak started after a break.
