Human rights activist Uladzimir Khilmanovich to stand trial for honoring anti-Russian rebels

Participants in the traditional action in memory of the insurgents of the 1863 anti-Russian uprising, which was held in the town of Svislach on October 26, are still facing administrative charges of involvement in an unauthorized event. On November 21, human rights activist and journalist Uladzimir Khilmanovich received a phone call from an employee of the Leninski district police department who said the activist faced charges of committing an administrative offense. Then the policeman visited Khilmanovich’s house, handing him the offense report and interviewing the human rights defender. The report was reportedly written by head of the Svislach district police department, Major Viktar Hancharevich. Uladzimir Khilmanovich is also accused of being photographed on the background of a white-red-white flag.

The human rights defender is now awaiting trial over “participating in an unauthorized event” under Article 23.34, Part 3 of the Administrative Code. Mr. Khilmanovich received a summons for November 24. On the same day, four more participants of the memorial action will stand trial on similar charges: journalist Mikhail Karnevich, Professor Aliaksandr Astrouski and political activists Jerzy Grygencha and Vital Lopasau.