Anatol Lyabedzka: Lukashenka’s fears can be seen behind case of Autukhovich

The leader of the United Civil Party believes that hearing the case of the Vaukavysk businessmen will be a real mockery of justice.

“The proceeding to come will continue the show trials that can watch in Belarus for the last 15 years. These trials function as a message to these or those groups and sections of the population,” Anatol Lyabedzka told in an interview to ucpb.org. “Sentences in the cases of Shydlouski, Kudzinau, Klimau, Marynich, Chyhir, Kim, Kazulin, and Bandarenka were to influence business risking to go to policy, or officials who decided to act in accordance with the law and conscience, or the youth seeking justice in street actions.”

The UCP leader calls the forthcoming consideration of cases of the Vaukavysk entrepreneurs reflection of Lukashenka’s personal fears.

“Lukashenka’s personal fears can be clearly seen behind the case of Autukhovich, that’s why a sentence will be cruel and demonstrative. General apparently made the ruler believe the governor of Hrodna and the official from Minsk had faced real threats to their lives. The tolerant Belarusians will aim a grenade thrower at the Red House if the guilty are not appointed and punished today. The military men touched the weak points of Lukashenka. They justify his well being but at the same time find opportunities to support the fear hysterics in the period of liberalization,” the Belarusian politician noted.

We remind that minister of internal affairs of Belarus Anatoly Kulyashou said on November 27 that political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich would stand an open trial in the Supreme Court.

Mikalai Autukhovich’s lawyer Pavel Sapelka was surprised by this decision.

“I was rather surprised to hear from the Ministry of Internal Affairs the trial will be open,” Pavel Sapelka told in an interview to Radio Racyja. “It is surprising that the people, who are not judges, talk about the trial over Mikalai Autukhovich. It gives a reason to suppose that the result of the case won’t depend only on conclusions of judges.”

As charter97.org has already informed, 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 freed 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.