Fyaduta taken to hospital during trial

The Frunzenski district court of Minsk has been considering the cases against presidential candidates Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu and Vital Rymasheuski for the second day.

The cases against Nyaklayeu’s campaign members Andrei Dzmitryeu, Alyaksandr Fyaduta and Syarhei Vaznyak, as well as Rymasheuski’s election agent Anastasia Palazhanka have also been heard. All defendants are charged with organizing group actions that breach public order or taking part in these actions. The criminal article carries a maximum punishment of 3 years in prison.

Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu reminded that on December 19 at 7:10 pm he went out and at 7:17 he received a head injury, which is recorded in documents. His participation in the events on December 19 lasted only 7 minutes.

The politician noted that the Electoral Code had been amended on January 4, 2010, but the cosmetic decisions had not led to systematic changes. He spoke about formation of electoral commission that took five minutes and about the miserable number of democratic activists in electoral commissions.

Nyaklyaeu said that gathering on the square was a tradition and holiday. The square is a sacred place, where children will come to lay flowers, he thinks.

Defendant Alyaksandr Fyaduta, Nyaklyaeu’s associate, felt bad during the trial. Earlier, he was released from the KGB jail on his own recognizance. Fyaduta was taken from the courtroom by an emergency ambulance. The trial was adjourned till May 10.