All Sannikov’s conversations were tapped

The Partyzanski district court of Minsk continues hearing the case against Belarusian presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov for the eighth day.

Andrei Sannikov may face up to 15 years in prison for taking part in a protest action against falsification of December 19 presidential elections.

The court began to hear CDs with Sannikov’s telephone conversations today. Sannikov was totally against this. He said phone tapping was gross interference with his private life.

As a result, Sannikov’s phone conversations were heard behind closed doors. Everyone was ordered to leave the courtroom. The fact of illegal tapping the phones of presidential candidates raised many questions.

At another today’s trial, one over presidential candidate Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu (charges against him were softened and he faces up to 3 years in prison), records of his telephone calls, including ones with Andrei Sannikov, were heard. As it was found out, tapping of presidential candidates’ phones during the presidential campaign was authorized by a deputy prosecutor general of Belarus. It was not said what was the ground for this decision.

Videos of Andrei Sannikov’s meetings with voters in Minsk and in regions were demonstrated. The videos showed him calling on Belarusians to come to October Square in Minsk if the elections are rigged.

Andrei Sannikov said at the end of the day that he needed medical aid, as he had gout aggravation. The politician also said he had applied for specialized medical care, but his request was not satisfied. Prisoners are examined by a paramedic only in the KGB remand prison. His skills are not sufficient for rendering medical assistance.

Lawyers asked to append to the materials of the case the previous motions of Sannikov for rendering medical assistance to him. However, the prosecutorial agent argued against. Judge Natallya Chatvyartkova has not affirmed the motion.

We remind that before the detention on December 19 Andrei Sannikov was brutally beaten up by special task forces. He was taken to the KGB remand prison with his injured legs. Sannikov’s several chronic diseases have aggravated in prison.