Trials over “silent” protests to be held today in Minsk

On July 21, district courts of Minsk are to hear administrative cases of the people detained on “silent Wednesday” on July 20.

The court of the Minsk district and Zaslaye will consider administrative cases against four people detained in Zaslaye yesterday. Reports under article 23.4 of the Code of Administrative Offences (disobedience to police officers) were drawn up against Ivan Ivonchyk, Andrei Klyukin, Yury Paulau and their friend.

The Leninski district court will hear the administrative cases of young people detained yesterday at a concert in 6A club. Among the detained are Danila Petlyakou-Shuhalei, Mikita Perahud, Yauheny Tarasevich, Yury Rybyanets, Syarhei Balavin, Kozich Kiryl. Over 10 people were detained at the concert.

The Tsentralny district court will hear administrative cases of the people detained yesterday at the rally and guarded to the Tsentralny district police department. Here are names of some of them: Alena Likhavid, Volha Bandarenka, Pavel Shapavalau, Anastasia Vyarchinkova (Russian national), Alyaksandra Klimovich, Yauhen Ivanyuk, Dzmitry Buyanau, Volha Khinevich, Syarhei Khinevch, Viasna human rights centre reports. 17 persons were placed in a detention facility in Akrestsin Street until trial.

About 30 persons were detained in Belarusian cities during silent protests on July 20, human rights activists report. People were detained in Minsk, Brest, Hrodna, Belaazersk, Navapolatsk and Vaukavysk.