Trials Of Freedom Day Detainees Started

Human rights activists report nearly a hundred trials against brave protesters.

Massive trials of detainees at the events on the occasion of Freedom Day started in Minsk and the regions on March 25 and 26.

Such trials are traditionally carried out following one scenario: detainees are sentenced to a "day" for the offense under Part 1 of Art. 23.34 (violation of the order of organization or holding of mass events) and Art. 23.4 of the Administrative Code (Disobedience to the lawful request of an official), 17.1 - petty hooliganism. Riot policemen become the witnesses.

According to human rights activists, by the evening of Saturday, it was reported about more than 1,000 detainees during the rally, today about a hundred trials are expected, Radio Svaboda informs.

By the morning of Sunday, the police was keeping about a hundred detainees. On Sunday afternoon, more protest rallies were held in many cities, including Minsk. They also ended with the detentions of dozens of people.

Court of Maskouski district of Minsk

The Maskouski district court considers at least three cases under Art. 23.34, and seven cases– under 17.1 (petty hooliganism). It is impossible to say, whether all of them refer to the events of March 25). But, among the latter, there is the name of Belsat journalist Aliaksandr Barazenka, he was detained during the celebration of Freedom Day.

Opposition activist Ales Lahvinets will be tried in the Maskouski district court, too. He was discharged from the hospital today, where he got after a severe beating during the detention.

Court of Pervamaiski district

Musician Pit Paulau is looking for his bass player Hleb Halushka in the Pervamaiski district court, as he disappeared on Saturday morning, just before the rally, the phone is turned off. Paulau and his friends are looking for him in all the courts – they are on duty and waiting for the lists.

Court of Leninski District

The Leninski district court considers four cases of administrative violations at 10.30 am. Three men (Tararoyeu, Tsiareshchanka, Mishchanka) are charged under two articles 17.1 and 23.4. Another one, the head of the Art-Sadziba Pavel Belaus, under Art. 17 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

Court of Partyzanski District

European Belarus coordinator Maksim Viniarski’s trial has started in the Partyzanski District Court. Viniarski says that 14 people have brought to court, including Siarhei Martseleu. They both have gone on a hunger strike.

Activists Palahovich and Aliaksandr Kurts will also be tried in the Partyzanski district court by judge Hermanovich.

Court of Tsentralny District

About 20 people have been brought to the Court of Tsentralny District, among them Dzmitry Kavalhin, Dzianis Sadouski, Dzmitry Silchanka.

Court of Kastrychnitski District

Artsiom Charniak’s case is considered in the Kastrychnitski District court by judge Lahvinovich.

Brest

Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk’s administrative case is expected to be considered today, she was detained 2 days ago, Brest human rights activist Uladzimir Vialichkin reports. The human rights activist believes that there might be other trials, now the information is cleared out.

Baranavichy

Today, activist Aliaksandr Shved, who was detained on March 24, will be tried there. Aliaksandr is in the isolation ward, he is a second group disabled person.

Mahiliou

There will be the trial of Belarusian Popular Front activist Aliaksandr Strakh, who was detained on Friday evening. The grounds are not known. On March 15, he made a speech at the "March of Non-Parasites."