‘Miss Belarus’ Beauty Contest Winner To Judge: They Sprayed Gas In Paddy Wagon With Girls

Volha Khizhankova boldly spoke at her own trial in the Lukashenka court.

Miss Belarus 2008, former press secretary at the Dynama Brest FC Volha Khizhankova is being tried for participating in an unauthorized event, in the court of the Zavodzki district of Minsk. She has already spent three days behind bars awaiting trial, tut.by writes.

How the trial went

In court, Volha pleaded not guilty. She said that on November 8 she went to congratulate her friend with flowers. For the first time, the security forces accepted her explanation, the second time - in the area of the Cathedral - they didn’t, and detained the woman. It was at about 15.00 (the protocol indicated the time as 15.10-15.30).

According to her, there was no procession or crowd of people at the place of detention - everything was like a normal day. She also did not shout any slogans.

In the paddy wagon, according to her, they sprayed gas, although only girls were there, and no one resisted.

Further, a witness for the prosecution spoke in court, introducing himself as Mr. Vadalazau. He was wearing a balaclava. According to him, Volha took part in the rally, shouted slogans against the authorities, and he also said that she was warned that the march was illegal. Khizhankova previously said that no one warned anyone, there was no march.

Vadalazau also claimed that Volha was detained at Peramozhtsau Avenue, 5, although Khizhankova previously noted that she was taken from the Cathedral.

The following dialogue took place in the courtroom then:

Vadalazau: “I remember Khizhankova because she is a beautiful girl.”

Lawyer: “And the rest are not?”

Vadalazau: “Compared to the rest, she is beautiful.”

The lawyer provided the court with a positive characteristic from the defendant’s previous workplace - Dynama Brest FC. She also pointed out that there were errors and inaccuracies in the case.

For example, Vadalazau claimed that Khizhankova shouted slogans against the current government, but he could not remember which ones. Meanwhile, the protocol of the interrogation of the witness says that she shouted “Long live Belarus!” and “Go away!”

At 11.27 the judge went to the consultative session. Khizhankova was given the opportunity to talk with her husband. She said that the confinement conditions at the Akrestsin Street detention center were normal. The woman also asked him to give the right pills to their pet, and pass her Okudzhava's book. She said that she was mentally ready for 15 days.

At 11.40 the judge returned and said that the case had been passed for revision. The next consideration is at 14.10.

Volha Khizhankova was detained on Sunday, November 8, and taken to the Zavodzki District Department of Internal Affairs. Later she was transferred to the Akrestsin Street detention center.