Closed Administrative Trial in Babruisk Detention Center: Young Front Activists Dzianis Buinitski and Siarhei Latsinski Arrested to 2 Days
This is the information provided by Ihar Khodzka, a representative of the Human Rights Center Viasna in Babruisk. "the judge was taken to the detention center to hear the case behind the closed doors".
We would like to remind you that Dzianis Buinitski and Siarzhuk Latsinski were detained on 22 October during the "Rock for Beavers" concert because they had unfolded a white-red-white flag. The police drew up a report by terms of Article 156 of the Code of Administrative Offences – disorderly conduct.
Closed trial is yet another invention of the contemporary Belarusian court system. By terms of Article 229 of the Code of Administrative Offences "a case of administrative violation is heard openly. To enhance the educational and warning value of such cases they may be dealt with right on the place of employment, or at the place of studies or residence of the wrongdoer".
No part of the Code of Administrative Offences says that the administrative cases can be dealt with in detention centers without representatives of the community present.
"All constitutional rights have been violated in Babruisk, says the Viasna lawyer Valiantsin Stefanovich, the Young Front activists could have made requests for legal assistance during the proceedings, who knows?"
