Vitsebsk Activists To Stand Trial For Freedom Day Celebration

The Kiyko brothers took a picture with white-red-white flags near the monument to Alhierd.

On the eve of the Freedom Day on March 24, Vitsebsk activists Uladzimir and Yaraslau Kiyko honored the 101st anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic by laying flowers at the monuments to Prince Alhierd and Uladzimir Karatkevich, as well as to the memorial shield to Vasil Bykau, and to the memorial erected near the burial place of innocently killed people. Everything that happened during the laying of flowers was recorded by police officers in civilian clothes with photo and video cameras. However, on that day they did not detain or warn anyone, the Vitsebsk Spring reports.

A week later, administrative protocols under Part 1 of Article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus were drawn with regard to the brothers, “for a picket using white-red-white piece of fabric”.

The protocol regarding Yaraslau Kiyko was made by police officer of the Kastrychnitski district police department of the city of Vitsebsk Kanstantsin Yarasheuski. A policeman came to his house, introduced himself as a local district police officer, and presented the document to Yaraslau.

“The same policeman also came to my brother, but he didn’t find him at home. He said that he was the local district police offier at his neighborhood, although my brother and I lived in different streets and we have different district police officers. A day later this policeman was waiting for my brother at the exit from the theater. Half an hour before that I was talking with my brother on the phone, and he said that he was in the theater. Therefore, I conclude that our telephone conversations with my brother are being tapped, ”said Yaraslau Kiyko, according to the Vitsebsk Spring.

“The authorities easily disregard both morality and the law, when the issue of control over people who want to feel in their own state as full-fledged citizens is at stake. Even if you decide to take a photo with a traditional and not prohibited by this country flag on a Sunday holiday, you immediately fall into the category of “dissenters”, unfortunately ... "- adds Yaraslau.

The activists did not agree with the protocols and refused to give explanations. Their trial will take place on April 11 at 10 a.m. in the Kastrychnitski district court of Vitsebsk.