Vitsebsk activist stands urgent trial after an anonymous call

Aleh Surhan detained on July 3 has been taken forcefully to the Kastrychnitski district court.

A policeman convoying the detainee in a police car said such an order had been given by Alyaksandr Kalinouski, the chief of the public security police of the Kastrychnitski district, Radio Svaboda reports.

Surhan stands trial after an anonymous call to police – someone allegedly complained he was swearing and eating sunflower seeds approaching Victory Square. A report on administrative offence was drawn up.

Aleh Surhan does not agree with the accusation. He demanded that judge Inna Hrabouskaya postpone the trial in order he can make a contract with a lawyer. Judge answered she could not postpone hearing, because she had an order from police to consider the case as soon as possible.

Aleh Surhan in convinced they want to try him today and arrest for several days to prevent him from participating in a silent protest action. Surhan and other Vitsebsk activists periodically hung out Belarusian national white-red-white flags last year. He was sentenced to 6-month arrest after one of the actions.