Sentences given to Atroshchankau, Malchanau and Novik

The Frunzenski District Court of Minsk continues trying the case of the participants of the 19 December protest action in Minsk, Aliaksandr Atroshchankau, Aliaksandr Malchanau and Dzmitry Novik.

10 a.m. Relatives of the accused and representatives of the state media were the first to be let in the court hall. No free seats were left after it. Many journalists, human rights defenders and friends were left outside the hall. The Chair of the court was called to resolve this issue, but didn't do anything for it.

Meanwhile, many seats were occupied by students of some higher educational establishment.

10.05 - Judge Tatsiana Cherkas continued interrogating witnesses in the case.

10.50 – Malchanau's friend Siarhei Ulenski from Vitsebsk and Siarhei Mayorau, driver of a mechanical loader from Minsk bore testimonies. The latter witness stated that he had been blocked by the crowd of demonstrators in Nezalezhnastsi Avenue and had to stand on the corner of the avenue and Lenin Street. A fellow climbed atop the loader and started waving a flag. (RFE/RL).

11.20 – the judge questioned witnesses from Malchanau's side and started watching video materials.

12.38 – the state accuser enumerated the documents that were put in the case, but didn’t quote them. There were minutes of searches and examination of items, their confiscation, listening to telephone conversations, rulings of the investigation.

1.05 p.m. – all written documents were studied. A break was announced.

2.10 – after the break the watching of the photo and video materials from the protest action where Malchanau could be seen continued.

2.50 – the prosecutor demanded to sentence Atroshchankau and Novik to 5 years of imprisonment, and Malchanau – to 5 years in high-security prison.

Judge Cherka announced the verdicts to to the accused. Aliaksandr Atroshchankau was sentenced to 4 years in a high-security colony, Dzmitry Novik - to 3.5 years and Aliaksandr Malchanau - to 3 years.