New charges in anarchists’ case
Three detainees in so called “anarchists’ case” have been officially charged over the past week.
Ihar Alinevich, detained on 28 November in Moscow and escorted to the KGB Minsk prison, was initially charged with “malicious hooliganism” (Par. 2 Art. 339 of the Criminal Code) for alleged attacks on the Russian embassy building on 31 August 2010 and the Defense Ministry Headquarters on 19 September 2009. Recent reports say he has also been charged with attacking the Shangri-La casino in downtown Minsk on 5 December 2009, the Minsk-Moscow Bank office on 31 May 2010 and the Minsk detention center in Akrestsin Street on 6 September 2010. He is facing charges under Par. 2 Art. 339 and Par. 2, 3 Art. 218 of the Criminal Code (intentional destruction or damage of property). Charges under Par. 3 Art. 218 are connected with the great amount of damage – the burnt car of the Russian embassy alone is estimated at BYR 55 mln. The activist’s personal car was seized as part of compensation. The investigation activities against Ihar Alinevich have been extended by 9 months, he will have to stay in custody until April 2011.
Mikalai Dziadok has been in custody since 3 September 2010. On 1 October he was charged with attacking the Defense Ministry Headquarters. On 15 February he was also charged with attacking the Shangri-La casino and the Trade Union Federation office on 30 April 2010. The detention of Mikalai Dziadok has been extended till 6 March, investigation against him is expected to be over by 12 April 2011.
Aliaksandr Frantskevich has been in custody since 3 September 2010. On 20 September he was charged under Par. 2 Art. 339 of the Criminal Code for alleged filming the attack on a police station in the town of Salihorsk. On 14 February he was charged with participating in the attacks on the Defense Ministry Headquarters and the Trade Union Federation office. Aliaksandr Frantskevich’s detention has been extended till April 2011.
Another activist Maksim Vetkin accused of attacking the Russian embassy has been in custody in Minsk pre-trial prison in Valadarski Street since 4 November 2010.
