Belarusian Writers Stand up for Uladzimir Nyaklyayew

One of the BNC leaders will be tried for an action he did not participate in.

The Council of the Belarusian PEN Center issued a statement in connection with the next administrative case against the honorary chairman of the organization Uladzimir Nyaklyayew.

The politician, poet, one of the leaders of the Belarusian National Congress will be tried on November 1 in the Leninski district of Minsk. He is charged with an alleged call for the participation in the March of Angry Belarusians 2.0, Radio Svaboda reports.

His quotes in the interview to Belsat TV channel are presented as evidence of his "guilt." The Council believes that such accusations have no legal basis, according to many reasons.

1. The Constitution and legislation of the Republic of Belarus does not regulate in any way the evaluation, including the legal one, of any statements by individuals in foreign media.

2. The interview of Uladzimir Nyaklyayew to Belsat TV channel of October 16 does not bear any calls for participation in any events. The concept of "Belarusians" used by him cannot have a corresponding subjectivity.

3. The above-mentioned interview can only be regarded as an expert statement on the current situation in the Republic of Belarus. Neither the Constitution nor the national legislation can prohibit making such statements.

In view of the foregoing, the Council of the Belarusian PEN Center considers that the charge against Mr. Nyaklyayew is not justified and may be the result or insufficient legal competence of persons who were involved in drawing up the protocol or their personal hostility.

If the administrative case is still tried in court and results in any punishment, the literary association reserves the right to inform the International PEN Center about this fact so that its experts could express their attitude to execution of the assumed obligations in the field of freedom of expression.