Trials over participants of disbanded rally against repeal of benefits (Photo) :: Charter'97 :: News

Today trials over young activists detained on June 1 during a protest rally against repeal of benefits are to take place in the court of the Tsentralny district of Minsk. As the Charter’97 press-center has found out, 5 activists had spent two days in a remand prison of the Internal Affairs department of Minsk city executive committee. The names of four of them are known: Pavel Vinahradau, Vadzim Baravik, Pavel Chumakou, Pavel Viltouski. Ilya Shust has been placed to a city hospital No.4. After being beaten up by riot policemen, he was diagnosed a kidney contusion, bruises and suspected a traumatic brain injury by doctors.

The protest rally of students against repeal of benefits was brutally disbanded on June 1 in Minsk by riot policemen. About 100 participants staged a march-performance in the center of the city. Young activists were carrying a coffin with the word “benefits” on it. According to traditions of funerals, students were carrying a huge cheap ticket for students in a black frame.

Young people managed to march about one hundred metres this way. Riot policemen attacked them. As the Charter’97 press-center was informed, riot policemen acted brutally, they stroke down protesters to the ground, twisted their arms, beating them up by clubs and fists.

All detainees were taken to a police department of Tsentralny district of Minsk. 5 activists were taken to a remand prison of the Internal Affairs department of Minsk city executive committee.

As we have informed, the Belarusian “parliament” has recently adopted a law depriving most of Belarusian citizens of benefits. Among others, students are left without public transport travel privilege.