Trials of organizers and participants of rally against Russian airbase in Belarus (updated)

Today, the Centraĺny District Court of Minsk considers the administrative case against the organizers and participants of the rally “For Free, Neutral and Peaceful Belarus”, held on October 4 on Svabody Square in Minsk. All defendants are charged under Art. 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, “violation of the order of organizing and holding mass events”.

At 10 a.m. Judge Mikhail Khoma considered the case against the chairman of the United Civil Party Anatol Liabedzka. He dismissed the challenge of the judge, stated by Mr. Liabedzka. The testimony against Liabedzka was given by the riot policeman I. Lavitski. He admitted not knowing Art. 45 of the Electoral Code. He said he didn't remember where he had stood during the rally, but had seen some 50-100 people with white-red-white flags. Another witness, riot policeman V. Lliashovich, said he had been informed that an unauthorized mass event had been taking place there.

Anatol Liabedzka stated he had the right to campaign and discuss electoral problems as well as presidential candidates, and was tried for exercising this right. He accused the policemen of giving false testimonies and demanded that the court punish them, but to no avail. The judge dismissed his motion for summoning to the trial the policeman Kukhto (who had compiled the violation reports against Mr. Liabedzka) and ruled that the defendant was to be fined 9 mln rubles.

At 10.40 a.m. the case against the artist Aliaksei Marachkin was considered by Judge Aliaksandr Yakunchykhin. The artist didn't come to the trial. The judge sentenced him to a fine of 3.6 mln rubles. Testimonies against Mr. Marachkin were given by the policemen from the Centraĺny District Police Department – Sidarakin, Kameka and Zubtsou.

Judge Viktoryia Shabunia considered the administrative case against Viachaslau Siwchyk, who didn't come to the trial ether. He was also charged under Art. 17.1, disorderly conduct and sentenced to a fine of 60 basic values.

At 12.00 Judge Tatsiana Rak sentenced Ales Mekh to a fine of 7.2 million rubles.

At 2.30 p.m. Judge Natallia Vaitsekhovich considered the administrative case against the politician Uladzimir Niakliayeu under Art. 23.34, part 3. The politician didn't come to the trial. He was sentenced to a fine of 50 basic values.

At 2.30 p.m. Judge V. Yesman fined the politician Mikalai Statkevich to a fine of 50 basic values under Art. 23.34, part 3.

At 2.30 Judge Aliaksandr Yakunchykhin sentend Ales Talstyka to a fine of 4.5 mln rubles.