Trial of Levonevsky may begin on August 26 :: Charter'97 :: News

Valery Levonevsky, leader of market vendors` strike committee in Grodno, is scheduled to appear in a district court in the regional center on Thursday to answer charges of insulting the head of state and organizing an unsanctioned demonstration.

Mr. Levonevsky, who has been held in jail since May 1, is to be convoyed to the courtroom on August 26, 27 and 30, and September 1, 2 and 3, his son, Vladimir, told BelaPAN on Tuesday with reference to a court directive.

The trial still may be rescheduled or postponed by the judge`s decision, he noted.

The case also involves Aleksandr Vasilyev, deputy chairman of the strike committee who has been charged with the same offenses but is free under his own recognizance.

Mr. Levonevsky, a member of the Svabodnaya Belarus alliance, was initially sentenced to 15 days in jail for passing out leaflets calling for participation in an unauthorized May Day rally. His imprisonment was later extended, as prosecutors instituted criminal proceedings against him, alleging that a poem carried on a leaflet was defamatory against the head of state.

In July, Mr. Levonevsky was additionally charged with organizing and taking an active part in an unsanctioned demonstration in connection with the May Day rally.

Mr. Levonevsky has recently had his detention period extended until September 13. lllll