Participants In ‘Parliamentary Elections’ Tried In Belarus

(updated) The authorities got scared of the protest activity.

Administrative trials of the participants in the events that took place during the election campaign, have been held today in the Pershamaiski District Court of Minsk, the HRC Viasna reports. Most defendants are active participants of the recently passed parliamentary campaign, parliamentary candidates, or their authorized representatives.

On December 2, at 11.15, the consideration of the cases of the activists, against whom the protocols under Article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences (participation in an unsanctioned mass event) have been drawn up, was appointed, namely, public activists Dzianis Krasochka, Nina Bahinskaya, activists of the European Belarus civil campaign Leanid Kulakou and Volha Nikalaichyk.

Judge Nastassia Liaukouskaya considered the case of Dzianis Krasochka.

Judge Tatsiana Linnik is considered the case of Nina Bahinskaya.

Volha Nikalaichyk was tried by Hanna Ihnatstsyava.

The case of Leanid Kulakou was considered by Sviatlana Charapovich.

Blogger and activist Grey Cat (Dzmitry Kazlou) is also under trial in Vorsha. Earlier, Ales Krutkin was sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest for reposting in social networks. An administrative case against one of the European Belarus leaders, Iryna Khalip, was initiated.

Trials of other European Belarus representatives - Andrei Sharenda, Yauhen Afnahel, Aksana Yushkevich, Maksim Viniarski, public activist Nastassia Huseva and one of the leaders of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Pavel Seviarynets - will be held soon.

17:20

The “judicial conveyor” against the participants of the “parliamentary election” has been resumed after a long break, at 17.00.

Leanid Kulakou has been fined for 50 base fees (BYN 1,250) by Judge Charapovich.

Volha Nikalaichyk has been fined for 50 base fees (BYN 1,250) by Judge Ihnatstsyava.

Dzianis Krasochka has been fined for 25 base fees (BYN 650) by Judge Liaukouskaya.

Nina Bahinskaya has been fined for 50 base fees (BYN 1,250) by Judge Linnik.

13:18

Volha Nikalaichyk is being tried for her participation in the mass event on November 16. As a prove, the court is watching the video from the case materials. The video was made at the action of… November 8. The song “Three Turtles” is playing in the video.

13:04

The trial of Leanid Kulakou has been postponed till 17.00 of the same day. The protocol has been sent for revision.

12:41

The court has announced a break in Dzianis Krasochka case till 17.00.

12:40

The trial is taking place without direct participation of Volha Nikalaichyk. The riot police officers Tryshkin and Misiulia are also testifying as witnesses. They are saying that during their duty they saw a mass event taking place in the Kastrychnitskaya Square, “and you know, mass events are prohibited there.”

12:25

Witness Pavel Asovik is speaking. He has told that he was informed at the place of his service that the event where Krasochka spoke was unsanctioned. Krasochkla has asked the policeman: “How could you determine whether the event I held a speech at was legal or not? This is the authorization of the territorial election commission, you haven’t sent any enquiries there. You must guard.”

11:55

Krasochka has come to court with Anatol Liabedzka, they also got another witness, Ihar Maslouski. The activist is going to file a petition so that the trial could be held in the courtroom, but not in the judge's office. Two riot police officers are witnesses for the prosecution.

Krasochka petitioned for the recusal of the judge. The hearing is adjourned to make a decision. Riot police officers Illia Lemantovich and Pavel Asovik are the witnesses.

As a result, the court has refused to recuse the judge.

The judge reads the protocol: Krasochka has violated the order of picketing by taking an active part in the mass events that go beyond the election campaign, shouted "Long Live Belarus".

Dzianis Krasochka has pointed out that during the "elections" the activities are regulated by the Electoral Code, but not by the law on mass events. He took part in the rally as part of the campaign of the candidate for "deputies" Maslouski, so he is sure that there was no violation of the law on mass events in his activities.