Barysau: verdict to signature collector to be announced on 12 December

On 7 December the second hearing on the case of Mikalai Iliiushonak took place at the Barysau City Court. Illiushonak had been detained on 21 September, while collecting signatures for holding a People’s Assembly in Barysau. He was kept at the police station for three hours and his car and apartment were inspected.

The first hearing took place in September. The testimonies given by dwellers of the house where Illiushonak had collected signatures weren’t enough to imprison him. On 7 December testimonies were given by policemen A. Kalesnik and S. Mazharouski, who had allegedly detained the activist, and a dweller of the house. The witnesses gave contradictory testimonies. After listening to them, Judge Aliaksandr Shutko postponed the announcement of verdict to 12 December.

“I am bored and tired of this court drag!” says Mikalai Illiushonak. “But I will go all the way. It is very important for me to find whether I am guilty. Let the judge tell it.”