KGB drops charges against all Young Front activists Updated

Three out of six Young Front activists earlier accused of preparing riots during the March 25 demonstration in Minsk have been freed from criminal charges.

Zmitser Dashkevich, Siarhei Palcheuski and Raman Vasiliyeu have received letters from the KGB, saying that their criminal case under part 3 of Article 293 was closed ‘due to lack of evidence’.

The Young Front activists were arrested on March 22-23, but soon released on own recognizance.

A total of 33 persons were arrested on charges of preparing riots. Some of them, mostly affiliated with the White Legion organization, later faced additional charges of ‘creating an illegal armed group’.

As of June 9, the KGB’s and the Interior Ministry’s prisons in Minsk continue to hold 14 persons. Others were released from custody, but are expected to stand trial later.

UPD. All six of the Young Front activists earlier charged with preparing riots during March 25 protest in Minsk (part 3 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code) have been notified by the State Security Committee (KGB) that the charges had been dropped due to lack of evidence.

This information has been confirmed by Zmitser Kremenetski, Young Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich, Siarhei Palcheuski, Raman Vasiliyeu, Uladzimir Yaromenak and Artsiom Leuchanka, who were released on April 1.

Earlier, charges were dismissed against Mikalai Mikhalkou and his son Yan Mikhalkou, as well as Siarhei Kulinich, an associate of opposition leader Mikalai Statkevich.

The KGB’s and Interior Ministry’s prisons in Minsk continue to hold 14 people charged with the ‘preparation of mass riots’ and ‘creating an illegal armed group’.