Trial of Vasil Parfiankou postponed over procedural irregularities
Vasil Parfiankou. Photo by euroradio.fm.
The Court of Minsk’s Pershamaiski district opened today the hearing of criminal charges brought against former political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou. He is accused of violating the rules of preventive police supervision (Article 421 of the Criminal Code). The case is considered by Judge Leanid Yarmolenkau.
As a result, the court found out that Vasil Parfiankou had not been notified of the trial date five days ahead of it, as required by the procedural law.
Therefore, the defense asked the Judge to postpone the trial to properly prepare for the proceedings.
The next hearing will be held on December 5.
Vasil Parfiankou was brought back to the activity therapy center in Svetlahorsk, where he has been held since September 21.
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May 29, 2012 Vasil Parfiankou was convicted under Article 421 of the Criminal Code for breach of preventive supervision. The restrictions for a period of one year were imposed on January 5, 2012. The reason for this was the Parfiankou’s involvement in social and political life.
On August 9, 2012 Vasil Parfiankou was taken into custody again. He served his sentence in prison in Baranavichy and was released on February 9, 2013. The former political prisoner was then taken under preventive supervision of the police.
On July 12, 2013 Vasil was again charged under Article 421 of the Criminal Code (violation of preventive supervision). The case was submitted to the court, but the trial did not take place, since on September 21, after serving a five-day administrative arrest, Vasil Parfiankou was sent for health and labor rehabilitation in Svetlahorsk.
