Arrest of Defendant in the Patriot Case Viktar Maroz Extended

16 patriots are still behind bars.

In his letter Viktar Maroz thanks form moving works and support, Radio Svaboda reports. He feels a light sadness because he will likely havy to spend this summer without his wife, son and parents:

"I do hope that I will breathe a frosty air because my imprisonment, as well as other guys', is extended until the end of September, the defendant in the White Legion case writes. Follow the developments, it will be interesting, I promise you. Long Live Belarus!".

Viktar's lawyer informs that his client is accused under two articles of the Criminal Code: 293, part 3 (preparation of mass riots), 287 (creation of an illegal armed group).

The White Legion case called by independent mass media the "Patriot case" has been initiated before Freedom Day and a public statement of Aliaksandr Lukashenka - "militants" who allegedly took trainings in Babruisk forests and other places were detained.

35 people were arrested; at the moment 16 people are being held in the KGB and MVD isolators. Some defendants are charged with preparation of mass riots, and former activists of the White Legion have also been accused of the creation of an illegal armed group.

No official statements of the investigative authorities have been made since the arrests of suspects. In the meantime, human rights defenders appealed to the General Prosecutor's Office with a request to verify information about the torture of detainees, who are allegedly forced out the necessary testimony.