Vitebsk activists tried for “Chernobyl picket”

Vitesbk's Kastrychnitaki district court hears the cases against CCP/BPF members Yan Dziarzhautsau and Vital Kavalenka.

The men are accused of holding an unsanctioned picket on April 26. Police reports were made later, when policemen saw photos with placards “Only Belarus's enemy can construct an NPP without public consent” and “Dictator, Astravets can turn into Chernobyl” on the  internet, Viasna human rights centre reports.

Police didn't see the picket – the activists already hid the placards and were going to leave the site when policemen came. However, they had to show posters to police officers, who wanted to assure they didn't contain anti-government slogans.

“We don't have any calls or make demands. We just expressed our opinions. We have the constitutional right to do so,” Vital Kavalenka thinks.

Yan Dziarzhautsau agrees: “Yes, I am against construction of an nuclear power plant in Belarus. I don't hide it. But it was not a public action. We just expressed our position as citizens.”

Judge Inna Hrabouskaya will hear arguments of the activists on May 17. The judge is known in Vitebsk for her judgements against opposition activists.

Other Vitebsk activists, BPF members Leanid Autukhou and Kanstantin Smolikau, will stand trial on accusations of violating the mass media law at 15:00, May 17. The trial will be conducted by judge Alena Protas.