General Prosecutor demanded three years of penitentiary for Zmitser Bandarenka (Video)

On the 26th of April civil campaign “European Belarus” coordinator Zmitser Bandarenka faced “puppet” trial.

During the presidential election Zmitser Bandarenka was a chargé d'affaires of Belarusian presidential candidate Andrey Sannikov.Zmitser was arrested on the night of December 20, 2010 after a crackdown on a peaceful demonstration against the rigged votes of the presidential election, and was locked down in the KGB Detention Center.

In the course of the so called investigation the “European Belarus” coordinator had his initial charges altered, presently imputing him with “organization and coordination of activities blatantly violating public order or active participation in them”(article 342, part. 1 of The Criminal Code Of The Republic Of Belarus). By these false charges he is impended with a three-year sentence.

To avoid publicity, the trial over the politician was held in a small hall – accommodating only between 20 and 25 people. Several rows were occupied by members of “The Republican Union of The Belarusian Youth” – a pro-governmental agency – driven there in a compulsory manner.

Zmitser Bandarenka admitted his participation in mass picket on the 19th of December. He dismissed all other charges.

The General Prosecutor charged Bandarenka with blatant violation of public order and disobedience to the authorities. “Virtually managing Sannikov presidential campaign, he committed that crime”, - stated the prosecution.

The prosecution pointed out that Bandarenka was one of those who disrupted normal working routine of company “BelEuroNet”, a foreign currency exchange kiosk, “Oktyabrskaya” subway station and Labor Union Art Center, which stood in the way of the marching demonstration.

Bandarenka was also charged with “calling to mass participation in the Square events through the Internet and with issuing farfetched statements about anti-democratic manner of the election and their tampering”.

Part of the case paper evidence included printed records of Bandarenka phone conversations with Andrey Sannikov, Natalya Radina, Viktor Ivashkevich and others. Bandarenka expressed his indignation at the fact that his phone had been “wired” since September 2010. He reminded that in the USA president Nixon was impeached for phone tapping.

Several audiotapes and videos were demonstrated for the evidence purposes. On one of the videos Bandarenka together with Sannikov chanted at the Square: “It’s time to change the bald tire!” Bandarenka confirmed his appearance on tape stating that the state structure must be reformed and the latest economic events prove the forecast of other presidential candidates manifested in their election programme.

Politician Bandarenka described the trial as politically-charged and reported that there hadn’t been any common plan for the December 19. Everybody hoped for a second tour.

Only one Traffic Police officer of all the witnesses questioned by the prosecution recognized Zmitser Bandarenka. None of the others noticed him in the events of the December 19. Questioned Traffic Police officers stated that manifestants stepped out onto the traffic area of Independence Avenue and thus blocked traffic.

Not all the witnesses copied each other’s testimonies though. Witness Dubrovsky, a Traffic Police officer, said that manifestants acted in a rather peaceful manner.

Witness Babariko, a former Traffic Police officer, said that the Traffic policemen hadn’t used loudspeakers to issue warnings to the demonstrators. He also reported that the manifestants hadn’t attempted to break a living chain of the Traffic policemen.

The same witness didn’t hear any of the candidates ordering the crowd to perform any illegal activities.

During the trial Zmitser Bandarenka claimed that he had serious health concerns: his ulcer exacerbated along with gout and spine condition.

Besides, according to his words his right leg is stricken with paresis.  

“During the time spent in detention my health has deteriorated”, - stressed Bandarenka.

Zmitser Bandarenka trial is being conducted at an accelerated pace. At the end of the first day The General Prosecutor demanded to sentence the politician with three years in a mid-level security penitentiary. The sentence will be announced tomorrow.