Andrzej Poczobut beaten right in court

Polish media report that a lawyer noticed traces of beating on the journalist’s face.

Poczobut’s lawyers Uladzimir Kisyalevich and Alyaksandr Birylau told journalists that they noticed red spots on their client’s face and neck in the courtroom. “Before the judge came in, Poczobut said physical force had been used against him. Guards took him by the arms and pushed him against the wall while convoying Poczobut to the courtroom. Poczobut got a hit in his face,” Polish media quote the lawyers.

The final statement by Andrzej Poczobut in the Leninski district court of Hrodna took less than a minute. The Polish Gazeta Wyborcza correspondent said he did not admit his guilt and this trial. The journalist’s relatives and colleagues could learn what was happening in the court only from lawyers.

A sentence to Andrzej Poczobut will be delivered at 2:30 pm. According to the lawyers, Andrzej said in the court: “I refuse to use my right to say the final statement in protest.” His protest also meant that he did not admit his guilt.

A criminal case against Poczobut was opened on March 28. Prosecutors said the journalist insulted and defamed Alyaksandr Lukashenka in his articles in Gazeta Wyborcza.

Anrzej Poczobut said he had not insulted Alyaksandr Lukasenka. “These publications contain only criticism of Lukashenka. My publications do not contain insults, just criticism,” the journalist said before detention.

Poczobut was taken into custody on April 6 for breaking the rules of release on own recognizance: he planned to go from Hrodna to Minsk to take part in a video conference with members of the European Parliament. Poczobut was detained for three days, but later a measure was restraint was changed from release on own recognizance to custody.

On June 24, prosecutor Alyaksandr Yuzhyk asked to sentence Poczobut to three years in a minimum security penal colony.

Belarusian and international human rights organizations as well as leaders of Poland, the EU and USA demand to free Andrzej Poczobut.