Four face charges in absentia in Minsk court over attack on Belarusian embassy in london
On December 19, 2021, an incident occurred at the Belarusian Embassy in London. Now, the Minsk Municipal Court is examining the case in absentia, with four individuals—Siarhei Rabushak, Aliaksandr Napreyenka, Maksim Zuyeu, and Vadzim Bahakou—facing charges in relation to the event.
The four are charged under part 3 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code of Belarus for “intentional acts aimed at inciting hatred,” part 3 of Article 218 for “intentionally damaging someone else's property, resulting in significant loss,” and part 1 of Article 366 for “violence or threats against officials.” Judge Dzina Kuchuk presides over the trial. On August 24, a sentence of eight to ten years of imprisonment was proposed in absentia for the accused.
According to the prosecution, the accused are alleged members of an informal political group of Belarusian migrants named “Nadzieja” (bel. 'hope') influenced by online sources. Acting on political and ideological animosity grounds, they are said to have pelted the embassy's façade with eggs and set up an offensive installation by the building's entrance between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. local time. Upon the arrival of three embassy staff members, protesters verbally abused and physically assaulted them, resulting in injuries.
The prosecution also suggests “the defendants were driven by a criminal sense of permissiveness cultivated through internet sources, Telegram channels, chats, and other extremist information outlets that artificially incite protest sentiments.” It is noted that Napreyenka recorded the incident on his phone. “The footage was intended to be distributed online if needed to spread false heroism and to foster hostile socio-psychological sentiments among the public. It was assumed that radical individuals, including Belarusian citizens residing in the UK, would discuss the video,” the indictment reads.
The damage to the embassy's façade was estimated to be over 142,000 Belarusian rubles (approx. $56,200).
The UK police investigated the embassy attack. However, according to the Prosecutor General's office of Belarus, they declined Belarus' request to extradite the accused. The defendants remain outside Belarus and are tried in absentia. Any property they had left within the country has been confiscated.
The trial is being conducted publicly, and witness testimonies from London have been read in court.
The prosecution asked to sentence Vadzim Bahakou and Maksim Zuyeu to 10 years in a medium-security penal colony, and Siarhei Rabushak and Aliaksandr Napreyenka to eight years.
