“Spy” trial: Haidukou’s mother gives evidence

Volha Haidukova said she was a witness for the defence at the trial against her son who is charged with “treason”.

Haidukova received an official answer from the chair of the Vitesbk regional court saying she can visit her son only after court proceedings are over, Radio Svaboda reports.

Volha Haidukova gave evidence in court on June 20.

“I am not allowed to say the details. From the questions to me I didn’t understand what Andrei is accused of. I was summoned on Thursday, June 20. I don’t have much to say. Andrei lost weight, but looks good. He is in a good mood. As for the decision by the court’s chair on a visit, I was told I could visit Andrei only after the court process was over. Why then did I file an application? Why did he say the application was necessary? If they had said in the beginning that visits are possible only after trial under law, I wouldn’t have hoped in vain,” Volha Haidukova said.

Volha Haidukova applied for a visit on June 14. The court chair promised human rights activist Pavel Levinau and coordinator of the BCD organizing committee Tatsiana Seviarynets that he would talk to judge Halina Urbanovich, who conducts the trial, about a possible visit.

Now, when the decision is known, Volha Haidukova only hopes for letters.

“I received a postcard sent on June 18. We passed a food parcel to Andrei on June 21. The trial is likely to take a long time,” Haidukova says.

The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 27. According to Volha Haidukova, lawyers didn’t say the verdict may be pronounced on this day.