Volha Mikalaichyk stands trial for flag on Independence Square

Minsk's Maskouski district court will hear an administrative case against Volha Mikalaichyk.

She is charged with failure to obey police officers, Viasna human rights centre reports.

Activist Nina Bahinskaya raised a white-red-white flag near the Red Church yesterday to mark the anniversary of the 2010 post-election protests. The process was filmed by documentary director Volha Mikalaichyk. She tried to defend the activist when riot police officers attacked the latter. Nina Bahinskaya was set free, but Volha Mikalaichyk was detained.

According to activist Leanid Kulakou, the director was taken to the Maskouski district police department and left in custody until trial. Police officers refused to pass her the food that her friends brought.

The trial is scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Maskouski district court of Minsk.

Volha Miakalachyk is a documentary director. She is the author of the documentaries Torture in Belarus and The Journey in the Endless War. He films about Belarusian political prisoners were displayed at a number of international festivals.