Case of political prisoners Autukhovich and Asipenka taken to Supreme Court

The case was taken to court on 30 December, the date of the trial is unknown. BelaPAN learnt this from Autukhovich’s lawyer Pavel Sapelka and Asipenka’s lawyer Tamara Sidarenka.

According to Sapelka, he was informed about this only 5 on January. The court is to consider if the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in this case or define a date for the trial, the lawyer said.

Autukhovich’s lawyer said earlier about his client’s case:

‘I was shocked with the infective atmosphere regarding the case of Mikalai Autukhovich, my client’, Pavel Sapelka said. ‘The investigators, as well as al people involved in the case, suspects, witnesses and lawyers feel uncomfortable. Even now, I cannot say why.’

Everything was wrapped in mystery, we were forbidden to give comments on simplest details, for example on brining the accusation. Unhealthy atmosphere was noticed until the last day – I wasn’t allowed to copy a single page from the whole criminal case. Maybe the reason is that the investigators are ashamed of the quality and methods of their work?

An official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs promises the trial will be open, but he mustn’t have any relation to court proceedings. If public is allowed to the trial, they will be surprised to see how a criminal case can be investigated in such a way in the center of Europe in the 21st century.

The worst and lowest methods were used, except perhaps beating. Innocent people were detained, their evidence were received under threat of bringing them to criminal responsibility.

When it is revealed to public how many people were detained in this case, you will understand that this goes beyond all reason. This is evident for me now, after I studied all materials of the case, Autukhovich should have been released six months ago and begged his pardon.’