European Union keeping a close eye on trials

The European Union will assess the situation in Belarus after all trials over participants of a peaceful protest demonstration on December 19, 2010, are over.

This statement was made by Charge d'Affaires of the EU in Belarus Jean-Eric Holzapfel at a meting with Belarusian journalists on May 13, BelaPAN news agency reports.

According to Holzapfel, the EU’s decision will depend on the sentences delivered. He noted that the EU was keeping a close eye on the trials and found them politically motivated.

Besides, the situation in Belarus will be discussed on May 23 at a meeting of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council, the diplomat said.

On May 12, the European Parliament called on the European Commission, EU Council and EU member states to “extend the restrictive measures against the Belarusian regime, including by imposing targeted economic sanctions, in particular against state-owned enterprises” in connection with criminal persecution in the case of mass rioting on December 19 and pressure on independent media.

Holzapfel said that he had attended a court session in the case against Andrei Sannikov and other accused persons and was shocked as he saw Sannikov behinds bars. On May 13, the Charge d'Affaires of the EU in Belarus visited a trial over Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, Vital Rymasheuski and members of their initiative groups.

Holzapfel is concerned at the situation in the Belarusian press, in particular a threat of closing down “Narodnaya Volya” and “Nasha Niva” newspapers as well as a criminal case against journalist from Hrodna Andrzej Poczobut.