The trial of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's analysts case begins
On May 31, the Minsk Regional Court begins the trial of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's analysts case in the framework of special proceedings. 20 people are accused at once: Aliaksandr Dabravolski, Ryhor Astapenia, Filip Bikanau, Yury Drakakhrust, Andrei Kazakevich, Hanna Krasulina, Yauhen Kryzhanouski, Dzianis Kuchynski, Veranika Laputska, Aliaksandr Lahvinets, Hanna Liubakova, Vasil Navumau, Maryia Rohava, Piotr Rudkouski, Alesia Rudnik, Natallia Rabava, Pavel Usau, Tatsiana Chulitskaya, Aliaksandr Shlyk, Katsiaryna Shmatsina.
The case will be presided by judge Uladzimir Areshka.
According to the case materials, all analysts are accused of committing crimes of an extremist nature in connection with Aliaksandr Lukashenka's campaign for the elections, as well as in the post-electoral period:
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conspiracy to seize state power by unconstitutional means (Part 1Article 357 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus);
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participation in an extremist formation and joining such a formation in order to commit an extremist crime (Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code);
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assistance in public calls to seize state power; committing other actions to the detriment of the national security of the Republic of Belarus; appeals directed to a foreign state, foreign and international organization, committing actions to the detriment of the national security of the Republic of Belarus using the media and the Internet (Part 6 of Article 16, Part 3 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (as amended on May 26, 2021);
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assistance in deliberate actions aimed at inciting social hatred and hostility based on other social affiliation committed by a group of persons (Part 6 of Article 16, Part 3 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus).
In addition, Aliaksandr Dabravolski is accused of leading an extremist formation (Part 1 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code).
All the accused left Belarus, and special proceedings were started against them.
At the beginning of the trial, 14 defendants in the case of Tsikhanouskaya analysts made a statement.
