SUPREME COURT TO HEAR VIASNA LIQUIDATION CASE ON OCTOBER 21

On September 30 the Supreme Court held the second pre-trial hearing on Viasna liquidation case. Judge Valiantsina Kulik set the date of the trial – 21 October 2003 at 10 a.m. in the building of the Supreme Court.

During the first day of the trial the Judge will hear explanations of the suitor and the defendants on the issue of violation of the organization Statute (non-payment of membership fees, failure to create Minsk city organization), and court representation of citizens, who are not members of Viasna.

On 22 October 18 witnesses, whose signatures, according to the Justice Ministry, were forged in Viasna application for registration in1999, will testify in court. Ms. Fishkina, the Ministry’s representative, said the people she listed in the supplement to the suit are not all yet. During the trial she will name some more people who she thinks should be interrogated in court.
Viasna representatives also stated they are going to invite additional witnesses to testify in court.
Judge Valiantsina Kulik confirmed that trial will be in Belarusian language, the minutes will be done in Belarusian as well. Even the summons to court was written in Belarusian. Talking about the courtroom big enough to take all people who would like to be present at the trial, Judge Kulik pointed out that because of Lavonaw’s trial the biggest courtroom is occupied. However, she promised to take measures to get the biggest room possible.