Human rights activist Valer Shchukin arrested in Orsha

Human rights activist Valer Shchukin was detained yesterday in the court building in Orsha, where Atroshchankau, Kalyakin and Lyabedzka were tried.

Radio Svaboda has learned it from Mikalai Pertrushenka, an activist of Our Home campaign. Police said Shchukin would stay at the police department till morning. The reasons for detention of the 70-year-old human rights defender are unknown.

The trial over the opposition leaders was held with numerous violations. The trial conducted by judge Natallya Baitsova, began behind the closed doors. Relatives of the detainees and human rights activists were not allowed to attend the trial. Eight people could enter the courtroom only at 3 pm. The judge forbade the opposition members to use their own lawyer.

We remind Lyabedzka, Kalaykin and Atroshchankau were taken off Minsk-MOscow train in Orsha in early hours of March 28. The planned to fly to Brussels from the Russian capital. Customs officers said in the beginning the opposition activists were suspected of carrying illegal drugs, but later they were accused of disorderly conduct. They were expected to stand trial in Orsha on March 28, but the trial was delayed until March 29 for unknown reasons. Lyabedzka Kalyakin and Atroshchankau were left in a detention facility in Orsha until trial.