Judicatory over free Belarus

6 presidential candidates, Andrei Sannikov, Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, Mikalai Statkevich, Vital Rymasheuski, Ryhor Kastusyou and Dmitry Uss have been presented an accusation of organising the actions which led to mass riots on December 19 during the street protest rally against rigged results of the presidential election in Belarus.

The term of pre-trial detention has been determined for Andrei Sannikov, Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, Mikalai Statkevich and Vital Rymasheuski. They are to stay in custody for 2 months, during which there should be an investigation.

Ryhor Kastusyou and Dmitry Uss have given a written undertaking not to leave the place.

The situation with Andrei Mikhalevich is not clear. According to Radio Svaboda, on December 30 the 10-day period for him expires, but charges have not been brought against him. Mikhalevich’s lawyer does not exclude that his client could be released.

According to preliminary information, other prisoners of “Amerikanka” (the KGB jail) have been accused as well under Article 293 Parts 1 and 2. (It has been confirmed that Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, Paval Sevyarynets, Anastasiya Palazhanka have been accused; Iryna Khalip has been charged, but the article is still unknown).

A note:

Article 293. Mass riots.

Part 1. Organizing of mass riots accompanied by violence against persons, pogroms, arsons, destruction of property, armed resistance to representatives of authorities, – is punished by deprivation of liberty for a term from 5 to 15 years.

Part 2. Participation in mass riots, consisting in immediate participation in actions mentioned in the first part of this article is punished by deprivation of liberty for a term from 3 to 8 years.