Court imposes restrictions on Uladzimir Niakliayeu
Uladzimir Niakliayeu, the leader of Tell the Truth campaign and former candidate for Belarusian presidency, refused to appear in the Leninski district court of Minsk for imposing additional restrictions on him.
The politician was to appear in court at 10:00 am on 9 September. Niakliayeu came to the court building and made a statement to journalists remind that “the brutal suppression of a peaceful demonstration in Minsk” was nine months ago:
“The result of these actions was international isolation of Belarus and a catastrophic economic crisis,” Niakliayeu told Belorusskie Novosti. “I said during the trial that the authorities can find a way out of this situation only through a dialogue with their opponents and civil society. Instead, the authorities continue repressions against the people standing far from politics, for example, the lawyers who defended participants of the 19 December events.”
“I am not going to attend the court session protesting against repressions and demonstrating solidarity with all political prisoners. They must be rehabilitated and released immediately.”
Niakliayeu told BelaPAN yesterday about summoning to court: “They already restricted me in everything possible, but this is not enough for them.”
The former presidential candidate says he already has a warning from the prosecutor’s office for violation of rules - he travelled abroad.
“Firstly, this warning was issued before the sentence took force, so don’t consider it legal. Secondly, I’ve already explained to officers of the prosecutor’s office that besides obligations to serve the punishment I have duties to the people who worked in my team and voted for me. I cannot betray these people,” Niakliayeu said.
The court considered a police appeal on imposing additional restrictions in absence of the politician.
Niakliayeu cannot organize or take part in rallies, demonstrations, pickets and other mass events. He cannot leave Minsk without written permission of the law enforcement bodies and leave Belarus until expiration of the sentence. Niakliayeu must register in the law enforcement bodies in his place of residence once a week and be at home from 8 pm till 6 am the next day.
The court rejected an offer to forbid Niakliayeu to visit public places selling alcohol by the glass.
On May 20, the Frunzenski district court of Minsk found Uladzimir Niakliayeu guilty under part 1 of article 342 of the Criminal Code (organizing and preparing the actions that breach public order or taking active part in these actions) and gave the politician two years of suspended sentence. Niakliayeu must regularly visit a police station, return home by 10:00 pm and inform police about his trips.
Uladzimir Niakliayeu he does not think that imposing additional restrictions is lawful and do not plan to fulfill the court ruling, he told in an interview to BelaPAN.
“No codes or laws have power to forbid taking part in mass events. I understand that the decision was not taken in court, but in an institution that stands higher all courts, prosecutor’s offices, police, and Corrections Department. Perhaps, they are not satisfied with the document I signed just after announcing the sentence – be at home from 10 pm to 6 am. It was re-written, like in school,” Niakliayeu says.
He says he will take part in every event he wants.
