Journalists not allowed attending trial over Syarhei Kavalenka

Syarhei Serabro, the editor of “Narodnye Novosti Vitebska”, as well as operator Uladzimir Staraverau weren’t allowed to enter the court.

Searching Syarhei Serabro’s personal things, a militiaman on duty turned his attention to a camera. As Radio Svaboda reports, a militia officer said one should have permission of the court chairman to bring the camera to the court room.

Activist of the Conservative Christian Party BPF Yan Dzerzhavets was banned to attend the trial.

We remind that activist of the Conservative Christian Party BPF Syarei Kavalenka hung out a national white-red-white flag on a Christmas tree in Vitsebsk. He is accused of hooliganism. The activist is also charged with disobedience to the militia during the detention. Syarhei Kavalenka faces up to five years of imprisonment.

May 12 is the second attempt to hold a trial over Syarhei Kavalenka. The trial was scheduled for April 20, but was delayed. The official reason is that judge Yauheny Burunau had personal problems.

The activist’ fellows don’t exclude the trial was postponed as too many people gathered near the Kastrychnitski district court to support Syarhei Kavalenka. He also raised a big white-red-white flag in front of the court.

This action was qualified as hooliganism. Syarhei Kavalenka was sentenced to 7 days of arrest on April 21. Activist Taras Surhan and Syarhei’s younger brother Vital Kavalenka were found participants of the unauthorized picket. Both oppositionist have already served their terms of arrest.

Syarhei Kavalenka is convinced his associates will come to support him again.