Hrodna: trials over detained Poles postponed again
The Leninski district court of Hrodna began hearing the case against Renata Dzemianchuk, the vice chairperson of the Union of Poles.
The trial was postponed
until Thursday, 7 June, due to absence of some witnesses representing police.
Three trials over detained picketers are expected to begin tomorrow, 6 June, RFE/RL
reports.
Renata Dzemianchuk is
accused of taking part in an unauthorized picket on 1 June. More than 20
picketers protesting against opening Russian-language classes in a Polish
school were detained. Only one of them, Ihar Bantsar, was tried on Friday and
received 13 days in custody. He was cruelly beaten by police during the
detention.
Members of the Union of Poles of Belarus applied to the city authorities for holding
a picket, but their application was declined. The only Polish-language
secondary school in Hrodna was built on funds of the Polish government. The
Hrodna authorities insist on opening Russian classes in the Polish school
because other schools in the district are overcrowded.
Picketers expected trials yesterday, but they were not held.
Nine participants of the picket are to be tried. Policemen drew up reports
against them and promised to phone on Monday. Some of the picketers came to the
court voluntary, but were told their reports had not been received. The police
department advised to wait, but said nothing about trial dates.
