Mikalai Dziadok: Sviataslau Baranovich’s Trial Is "Show" And Political

The consideration of the political prisoner’s case will continue on February 20.

On February 15, the consideration of the criminal case of Sviataslau Baranovich, which was among those who allegedly "interfered with the detentions of the demonstrators" after the sanctioned non-parasites march in Minsk, started in the Maskouski district court of Minsk.

"I think that the authorities are conducting this showtrial so that people were afraid to stand up against the authorities, did not even think about it," – former political prisoner Mikalai Dziadok told the site palitviazni.info.

Sviataslau Baranovich was detained only on October 3, and was kept in the jail No. 1 in Minsk up to the trial. He was charged with "using violence against employees of the law-enforcement bodies" (Article 364 of the Criminal Code), although initially the case was initiated under hooliganism (Article 339 of the Criminal Code). The guy is facing an arrest for up to three months, or restriction of freedom for up to five years, or imprisonment – up to six years.

"I do not see any Sviataslau Baranovich’s guilt, – Belarusian National Congress leader Mikalai Statkevich says. – The man saw that unknown people in civilian clothes were picking a fight with young people in the street and covered up for the youth. It’s not written on policemen’s faces, where they are from, and they were without uniform. And it’s a duty of every citizen to defend those who are attacked. Therefore, this is a purely political case. First of all, we are to judge those who attack, beat and give such orders. But, I think, it will run to that later."

"I think that the authorities are conducting this showtrial so that people were afraid to stand up against the authorities, did not even think about it," – Mikalai Dziadok adds. – And this is certainly a political case. By the way, the fact that Sviataslau Baranovich defended anarchists, I think, can affect the final verdict for the worse."

Meanwhile, human rights activists are not making any conclusions on this case.

The hearing will be continued on February 20.