Video shot by the KGB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Belarusian Television show the action was peaceful
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8:38, — Politics
Forth trial session in the criminal case against youth activists, accused of participation in the entrepreneurs’ rally on 10 January takes place today.
One of them, activist of the “Initiative” organisation Andrei Kim, is also accused of violent act against a militia officer during the breaking up the rally of entrepreneurs on 21 January.
Relatives and friends of ten youth activists will come to the court of the Tsentralny district for the forth time. Riot militiamen let the accused persons, their lawyers, parents, journalists and about ten people pass in the court room. About 30 people stay outside waiting for the end of the trial session, Radio Svaboda reports.
There are many vacant places in the courtroom. For two days they were occupied by riot militiamen. On Friday, unknown young people, calling themselves “future lawyers” occupied the benches. Lawyers had to ask the court to expel “future lawyers” from the courtroom, because they behaved aggressively and tried to provoke a fight by hitting a woman. But the judge refused to satisfy the motion two times.
Everyone hopes a judgement may be delivered today. Observers are sure Andrei Kim will be acquitted on the article of violent act against a militiaman for lack of evidence. Most of the ten people, accusing of organising mass actions, causing public disorders, have already served administrative arrests for participation in the unauthorised entrepreneurs’ rally.
Video records don’t give grounds there was riot in the city. Video shot by the KGB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Belarusian Television show the rally was peaceful. People were kind to one another. Demonstrators went to the traffic area of the avenue, but they cleared two lanes. The traffic on the Independence Avenue was blocked for a time. Drivers were showed V-signs and honked demonstrating their solidarity with the demonstrators.
“They have no proof of Andrei Kim’s guilt. We have no proof of guilt, too,” Anton Koipish tells. “Judging from their materials, charges were retorted.”
Video materials refute evidence of the injured Yury Sychou, said Andrei Kim had hit him. Traffic militia officer Yury Sychou gave controversial evidence during the investigation and trial. The video shows Sychou grasped Andrei by his hair and threw him into the mob. But Andrei didn’t hit him. Moreover, the expert examination showed Sychou was stricken with a right hand, but Andrei is a left-hander.
“The video has low quality. Sometimes it is impossible to determine place and time of events. But even such video shows that demonstrators let emergency ambulance pass, buses could turn, those who wanted to leave the place of gathering, did it. Those who wanted to demonstrate solidarity, to take part in the rally - they stayed, saw, participated... No riot was noticed,” Uladzimir Syarheeu tells.
Disputes may be heard today in the court. A prosecutor will say what punishment he asks for the accused. In this case a judgement may be delivered by 6pm.
10 people have trial now. Four other accused people will have the trail later. Tatsyana Tsishekvich, Ales Charnyshou, Alyaksandr Straltsou, Alyaksei Bondar, Uladzimer Syarheeu, Mikhas Kryvau, Artsyom Dubski, Anton Koipish and Mikhas Pashkevich are on the dock today. Andre Kim is in custody. He is kept in a special cell in the courtroom.
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