Unlike Sannikov, Nyaklyaeu is not isolated

A prosecutor asked for suspended sentences for presidential candidates Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu and Vital Rymasheuski.

Prosecutor Andrei Kazheunikau asks the court to sentence:

Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu to 3 years of imprisonment suspended for two years;

Andrei Dzmitryeu to 3 years’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years;

Alyaksandr Fyaduta to 2 years’ imprisonment with all time suspended;

Syarhei Vaznyak to 2 years of restriction of freedom in an open type correctional facility, all suspended;

Vital Rymasheuski to 2 years of imprisonment, all suspended;

Anastasia Palazhanka to 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for 1 year suspended.

They were given “softer” sentences because they were charged not with “organizing mass disorders”, but with “taking part in group actions that breach public order”. This criminal article carries milder punishment, up to three years in prison.

The trial was focused mainly on Uladzimir Nyaklayeu’s team and Tell the Truth campaign. In particular, the court turned much attention to financing the campaign.

Evidence relating to financing Nyaklyaeu’s election campaign given by Alyaksandr Fyaduta, Syarhei Vaznyak, and Andrei Dzmitryeu during the investigation, as the prosecutor claimed, provoked a scandal. The defendants said they had been intimidated during the investigation and refused to comment on the evidence as not relating to the case.

Belarusian presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov was sentenced to 5 years in a medium security penal colony on May 14. His team met severe sentences: Zmitser Bandarenka, one of heads of Sannikov’s campaign, was given 2 years in a minimum security penal colony, though charged against him were also softened; Sannikov’s spokesman Alyaksandr Atroshchankau was sentenced to 4 years in a medium security penal colony. Activists from Sannikov’s team were given from 3 to 4 years in prison.