On 11 May, 27 people were tried for participating in “mass riots” on election day last December. Several courts in Minsk tried the accused of organisation and participation in actions of disorderly conduct and hooliganism: ex-candidates for presidency Mikalay Statkevich, Dzmitry Us, Uladzimir Niakliayeu, Vital Rymasheuski as well as Iryna Khalip, Pavel Seviarynets, Siarhei Martsaleu, Andrei Pazniak, Aliaksandr Klaskouski, Aliaksandr Kviatkevich, Artsiom Hrybkou, Dzmitry Bulanau, Andrei Dzmitryyeu, Aliaksandr Fiaduta, Nasta Palazhanka and Siarhei Vazniak.
Legal investigations were conducted concerning organisation of mass riots by ex-candidate Andrei Sannikau, left, Illia Vasilevich, Aleh Hnedchyk, Fiodar Mirzayanau and Uladzimir Yaromenka. Dzmitry Daronin, Siarhei Kazakou, Uladzimir Loban, Vital Matsukevich, Yauhen Sakret, Aleh Fedarkevich, all accused of participating in the 19 December “mass riots”, also underwent trial.
Total tapping
The prosecutor in law informed that several phones of Niakliayeu were wire-tapped sanctioned by General Prosecutor Viktar Konan between 9 and 18 December. During the trial of ex-candidate Uladzimir Niakliayeu, the prosecutor read the printouts of telephone conversations between Niakliayeu and Andrei Sannikau as well as journalists of “Narodnaya Volia” newspaper, “Komersant FM” Radio, and Radio Liberty.
During the process, the ex-candidate Vital Rymasheuski, right, said that “it’s indecent to listen to conversations of other people”, and that he considers it inappropriate to be present in the courtroom, as these conversations have nothing to do with him. But the judge ordered him to stay.
During the break Vital Rymasheuski commented the situation: “It is a normal practice in Belarusian conditions. It is the norm of our lives. In a European democratic court – I don’t think so. Naturally, one can be outraged, but sadly it is no surprise for me. Though it is a disgrace, of course. Sincerely, I wish I wouldn’t be here or hear those things, but I’m obliged to”.
Harsh sentences
On May 12, Dzmitry Daronin, Siarhei Kazakou, Uladzimir Loban, Vital Matsukevich, Yauhien Sakret, Aleh Fedarkevich were sentenced for participating in mass riots. They got 3 to 3,5 years prison terms.
The human rights defender Uladzimir Labkovich told about the atmosphere in the courtroom:
“We are dealing with political repressions here. It is obvious that the guilt of the accused is not proved. They know exactly that their testimonies will directly affect the number of years they would get, that every word is an extra year for them. Nevertheless, they demonstrate their courage and civic stand. And they will keep to their convictions even further”
Economic sanctions?..
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton, left, made a statement in the European Parliament saying that Lukashenka left EU no other choice but taking actions against his regime, informs “Interfax West”:
“He (Lukashenka) didn’t use the given opportunity, he chose the violence against peaceful protesters, he increased the number of political prisoners, thus demonstrating his contempt to democracy and the rule of law”, – said Ashton.
One of the key theses of Ashton’s speech was encouraging not to limit the reaction of EU to statements and protests in relation to the regimes, that are considered non-democratic, but to take concrete actions.
.. or ice hockey boycott?
The situation with political prisoners in the “ice-hockey superpower” under the rule of “hockey-player No1”, right, worries Jerzy Buzek, the President of
the European Parliament. For instance, Buzek, together with other prominent deputies of the European Parliament, have appealed to the International Ice-Hockey Federation encouraging them to cancel World Championship in Minsk in 2014, as long as Belarus has political prisoners.
The letter states following:
“The conduct of the Belarusian authorities clearly disqualifies the country and deprives it of the privileges to host international sport events, such as Ice-Hockey World Championship-2014
We urge the International Ice-Hockey Federation to take appropriate measures in order for Lukashenka not to gain any international prestige of legitimacy, which is provided by organisation of Ice-Hockey World Championship-2014, until he releases all political prisoners.
During almost two decades, Belarus is ruled by brutal and authoritarian regime of Lukashenka. The EU and the USA condemns his actions. His regime arrested hundreds of peaceful protesters, including candidates for presidency, leaders of the opposition, journalists, members of civic society and common Belarusians.
The Ice-Hockey World Championship-2014 cannot be held in Belarus in such terrible conditions”.
***
On 19 December 2010, Belarus held presidential elections. The elections were accompanied by numerous violations of the Electoral Code of Belarus and didn’t comply with the international standards. In the evening dozens of thousands of people protested against the falsification of the elections. The peaceful demonstration was brutally dispersed, more than 700 people including presidential candidates were beaten up, arrested or fined. This day started unprecedented wave of politically motivated repressions in Belarus, prominently displayed in numerous searches, confiscation of equipment, prosecution and long term imprisonment for those who dared to express their protest.
On May, 13 the Lithuanian Parliament hosted the opening of photo-exhibition about the events of December, 19. Several dozens of photos, made by professional photographers during the protest action on 19 December 2010, display what really happened on “Ploshcha – 2010”. The photo-exhibition is organised by the Belarusian HRH, and is dedicated to 15th anniversary of Human Rights Centre “Viasna”
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