Investigation in case of Vaukavysk entrepreneurs ended

On November 26, Vladimir Asipenka, accused of preparation for a terroristic act, sign a protocol on ending the investigation in the Minsk detention center and start to acquaint himself with the material of the case.

Radio Svaboda learnt this from lawyer Tamara Sidarenka.

“What is Asipenka’s reaction? He is indignant. In my view, investigators do not have a reason to bring such a charge against him,” Tamara Sidarenka said.

As far as journalists know, Mikalai Autukhovich also charged with preparation for a terroristic act, also began to get acquainted with the case. The lawyers don’t know when a trial will take place.

Mikalai Autukhovich and Uladzimir Asipenka do not admit their guilt and explain persecution by revenge upon them for their fight against corruption in local authorities.

Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka were detained in Vaukavysk on February 8, 2009. On February 18, the entrepreneurs were charged under article 218 of the Criminal Code of Belarus. On June 23, a criminal case under article 359 of the Criminal Code (a terroristic act) in the form of preparation (article 13) was instigated against Autukhovich and “other persons”.

Lyavonau was released from Minsk remand prison on August 8. On September 24, he was cleared from all charges.

Mikalai Autukhovich was on hunger strike from April 16 to July 16. He demanded either to take the case to the court as soon as possible, or to change the measure of restraint for all persons involved in the case from imprisonment to a written undertaking not to leave the place.

Human rights activists consider them political prisoners, turning attention to the fact that Autukhovich and Lyavonau were convicted before and recognized prisoners of conscience by the international community.