Belarus marks 2nd anniversary of Minsk metro blast

An explosion occurred at the Kastrychnitskaya metro station in Minsk on April 11, 2011.

The blast killed 15 and injured 387 people. Dzmitry Kanavalau and Uladzislau Kavalyou from Vitebsk were accused of the crime. Both were detained the next day, on the evening of April 12. Besides the metro blast, they were charged with carrying out bomb attacks in Vitebsk in autumn 2005 and in Minsk on July 4, 2008.

The criminal case over the metro bombing was heard by the Supreme Court. Kanavalau pledged guilty to all counts. Kavalyou denied his involvement in the three blasts and said he had perjured himself and Kanavalau under pressure from investigators at the pre-trial investigation. The court sentenced both men to death on November 30.

Many people in Belarus, including some victims of the blast, doubt Kanavalau and Kavalyou were guilty. They turn attention that court procedures violated legal standards and arguments of the defence were ignored. Human rights defenders note the men were executed too hastily and find this fact suspicious.