Weekly review of post-election situation in Belarus (9-15 May)
A record number (27 persons) of participants of the 19 December 2010 events stood trials last week. The first verdict on charges of organizing mass riots was pronounced – former presidential candidate Andrei Sannikau was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment in a high-security penal colony. Other participants of the post-election protest who stood trial together with the politician were also convicted: Aleh Hnedchyk – 3.5 years, Illya Vasilevich, Fiodar Mirzayanau and Uladzimir Yaromenka – 3 years in a high-security prison each. Siarhei Kazakou, Vital Matsukevich, Yauhen Sakret and Uladzimir Loban were sentenced to three years in a high-security prison each, Dzmitry Daronin and Aleh Fedarkevich – 3.5 years each. Freedom of speech and association was still restricted, administrative pressure was used.
Politically motivated criminal prosecutions
On 11 May, Minsk courts simultaneously opened trials of 27 participants of the 19 December 2010 post-election protest.
Minsk Leninski District Court heard the cases of former presidential candidates Mikalai Statkevich and Dzmitry Us, who faced charges of organizing mass riots, as well as other participants of the protest – Andrei Pazniak, Aliaksandr Klaskouski, Aliaksandr Kviatkevich, Artsiom Hrybkou and Dzmitry Bulanau. The judge heard the testimonies by a number of alleged victims absent from the courtroom, including deputy commander of riot police regiment Mr. Kashtalanau. Meanwhile, many of the injuries reportedly received by policemen on 19 December failed to be confirmed by written sources. Defendant Klaskouski said the KGB video capture screened in the courtroom was fake.
On 11 May, Minsk Zavodski District Court opened the trial of the Belarusian Christian Democracy co-founder and Vital Rymasheuski’s campaign chief Pavel Seviarynets, journalist and Andrei Sannikau’s wife Iryna Khalip, and Mikalai Statkevich’s campaign chief Siarhei Martseleu, on charges of organizing “actions that grossly violated the public order or active participation in them” (Par. 1 Art. 342 of the Criminal Code). On 13 May, the state prosecutor demanded to sentence Pavel Seviarynets to 3 years of imprisonment, Iryna Khalip and Siarhei Martseleu – to 2 years of suspended sentence. The verdicts are expected to be pronounced on 16 May by Judge Zhana Brysina.
Frunzenski District Court continued hearing the cases of former presidential candidates Uladzimir Niakliayeu and Vital Rymasheuski, together with Niakliayeu’s campaign activists Andrei Dzmitryeu, Aliaksandr Fiaduta and Siarhei Vazniak, and Rymasheuski’s election agent Nasta Palazhanka. All of them face charges under Par. 1 Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (“organizing and preparation of actions that grossly violate the public order, or active participation in them”) and may be imprisoned for up to three years.
On 12 May, Judge Alena Shylko of Maskouski District Court sentenced Siarhei Kazakou, Vital Matsukevich, Yauhen Sakret and Uladzimir Loban to three years of imprisonment in a high-security penal colony each, Dzmitry Daronin and Aleh Fedarkevich – to 3.5 years each. All of them were found guilty of participation in mass riots (Par. 2 Art. 293 of the Criminal Code). Human rights defenders prepared an analytical review of the trial, calling the verdict illegal and politically motivated, severe and disproportional punishment for the offences committed; Matsukevich’s actions were considered as pertaining to an administrative offence.
On 14 May, Partyzanski District Court convicted Andrei Sannikau under Par. 1 Art. 293 of the Criminal Code and sentenced him to 5 years of imprisonment in a high-security penal colony; Aleh Hnedchyk was sentenced to 3.5 years of imprisonment, Vasilevich, Mirzayanau and Yaromenak – to 3 years in a high-security prison each.
On 10 May, former presidential hopeful Ivan Kulikou stood trial in Minsk Zavodski District Court. He was found guilty of abuse of authority (Par. 3 Art. 201 of the Criminal Code) and sentenced to 5 years of suspended sentence.
The Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Ad Hoc Working Group on Belarus, Uta Zapf, was not allowed attending the trial of former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich, after she was denied Belarusian visa on 10 May.
On 12 May, the European Parliament adopted another resolution on Belarus, calling upon the European Commission, the EU Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to “extend the restrictive measures against certain Belarusian officials, including consideration of targeted economic sanctions.”
Detentions and administrative punishments
On 10 May, Minsk police detained two EHU students Katsiaryna Klimko and Natallia Drylenka for alleged using of foul language. However, they were later released without charges.
On 12 May, Navapolatsk activist Viktar Kalesnik was fined BYR 70,000 for “swearing.”
On 13 May, Vileika activist Valiantsin Susla was fined BYR 1,050,000 for resisting fingerprinting. An appeal against similar fine to Homel UCPB leader Vasil Paliakou was dismissed.
On 13 May, Homel police detained pro-democratic activist Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh for wearing a T-shirt with anti-Lukashenka slogans.
On 14 May, Minsk police detained deputy leader of the Young Front movement Mikola Dzemidzenka. The activist was reportedly taken to Minsk detention center.
Restrictions on freedom of speech
Andrzej Poczobut, reporter of the Gazeta Wyborcza Polish newspaper, started studying the case file of his criminal charges under Par. 1 Art. 368 of the Criminal Code (“insult of President”) and Par. 1 Art. 367 (“libel of President”). As a result he may be imprisoned for up to 2 and 4 years of imprisonment, respectively. The journalist is currently in custody.
On 10 May, the Cassational Board of the Supreme Economic Court dismissed the appeal by “AutoRadio” against an earlier decision authorizing the liquidation of the independent radio channel.
On 10 May, Vitsebsk Kastrychnitski District Court fined local journalist Uladzislau Staraverau BYR 875,000 for alleged swearing and resisting arrest back on 26 April. Judge Alesya Zharykava dismissed a motion for screening a police video of the journalist’s detention.
On 11 May, the Supreme Economic Court suspended the consideration of a lawsuit by the Ministry of Information against the Nasha Niva newspaper. The hearing is due to be resumed after the consideration of an appeal against the latest warning addressed by the Ministry to Nasha Niva on 18 May.
The hearing of the lawsuit by the Ministry of Information against the Narodnaya Volia newspaper was postponed till 17 May.
Over 200 signatures were collected by the UCPB Babruisk activists, demanding to stop harassment of Belarusian independent media. The signatures are going to be submitted to the Minister of Information Aleh Praliaskouski.
Mahiliou Regional Prosecutor’s Office reversed a warning imposed on Siarhei Niarouny, editor-in-chief of the Volny Horad Krychau local newspaper.
Torture reports and other kinds of inhuman and cruel treatment
On 13 May, during the consideration of Andrei Sannikau’s case, the politician said his testimonies in the KGB prison were forced by torture. He repeated the earlier report by another KGB prisoner Ales Mikhalevich: Andrei Sannikau was reportedly undressed, forced to stand against the wall and crouch despite his injured leg, beaten by police truncheons and deprived of correspondence. All interrogations were accompanied with physical and psychological pressure.
During a meeting with his wife in a Vitsebsk prison, convict Aliaksandr Atroshchankau said Ales Mikhalevich’s allegations of inhuman detention conditions in the KGB prison were true. “It was not until Mikhalevich’s appeal, that torture was stopped. The KGB may fear public attention”, said Aliaksandr Atroshchankau’s wife Darya Korsak. The political prisoner also said he was threatened with an electric shocker.
Restrictions on freedom of association
Minsk Economic Court authorized the eviction of the Belarusian Popular Front’s central office.
