Fruits of “liberalization”: second criminal action brought up against person involved in Process of Fourteen

A second criminal action has been brought up against one of the participants of the famous Process of Fourteen Artsyom Dubski.

This spring Dubski and 9 more activists of opposition were sentenced to two years of restriction of freedom for participation in protest rally of entrepreneurs on January 10 and 21 which was brutally cracked down by the regime. This time a criminal action was brought up against Dubski on charges relating Article 415 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (evasion from serving restriction of freedom term). The criminal action was brought up for three alleged violations of the order of serving the sentence. All the 3 “violations” are said to happen between September 16 and October 1, and according Dubski and his family looked like this:

The first “violation”: supervision officers visited Dubski’s place and charged his with being drunk. He was taken for a medical examination. Blood test showed he was not drunk, however, the report was drawn up.

The second “violation”: Dubski’s sister asked the policemen who came to their house to take off boots when they searched the apartment. A report was drawn up against Dubski saying he was not allowing them enter the apartment.

The third violation: Policemen searched Dubski’s bag when he returned from work. In a few days Dubski learned that a report was drawn against him for alleged denial to demonstrate the bag.

As a result, a criminal action was brought up Artsyom Dubski for three violations. Having learned about that, Dubski left Belarus for Ukraine and asked for a political asylum. Dubski himself believes that these provocations were related to the fact that he didn’t stop oppositional activities in Asipovichy where he serves the term.

“When we were standing the trial this spring, we had no illusions about the Belarusian justice, but we came to the court as we were sure that we would be justified under the pressure of the Belarusian society and Europe. Our hopes failed, but only Andrei Kim was imprisoned. Me and nine more persons were in the position of hostages who can be sent to prison any time on any pre-text. Statements of the European Union that Belarus does not have political prisoners and steps for recognition the regime are simply a betrayal and hypocrisy. Certainly, in such a situation I have simply nothing to count on in the Belarusian court, except for a prison term. That is why I decided to leave Belarus,” Artsyom Dubski said.