Judge Motyl: “I know you plead guilty”

Human rights defenders learned the details of the secret detention of the activist of “Alternative” Aleh Keral on August 5.

This day, Aleh intended to help the mother of Illia Dabratvor (serving the administrative arrest) in the detention center in Akrestsin Street, to pass him a food parcel. In the first half of the day a police car arrived at the gate of the detention center, where he was waiting for the woman. Several riot policemen ran out of it. Without giving any explanations, they seized the activist, pulled him into their car and drove him to the Maskouski District Police Department of Minsk. Mr. Keral recognized one of the policemen who had detained him before, in May this year.

At the DPD, he was given usual charges: "disorderly conduct" (Art. 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) and "disobedience to the police" (Art. 23.4 of the CAO).

Then he was taken to the Maskouski District Court of Minsk, where his case was to have been considered by Judge Tatsiana Motyl. However, until the evening she was busy leading other court proceedings.

Aleh Keral was then returned to the Maskouski DPD, where the report under Article 17.1 was rewritten, whereas the other report (for disobedience to police) disappeared from the case at all.

August 6, Judge Tatiana Motyl quickly held a hearing, not allowing Aleh Keral to speak in court concerning his case, saying “I know you plead guilty”. Then the indignant activist was hastily issued with the verdict for ten-day arrest.

Human rights activist of "Viasna" Nasta Loika believes that the police have held a raid on civil society activists in the Maskouski district of Minsk. Recently, Ales Makayeu, Illia Dabratvor and Aleh Keral have been detained and groundlessly punished by court.