A series of trials against people who took part in silent protests during a celebration of the Independence Day, started on Monday in major Belarusian cities. First sentences were pronounced of 5 to 15 days of arrest for “minor rowdiness”. Igor Bencer – an activist of the unrecognized by the authorities Union of Poles in Belarus was sentenced to ten days in prison.
Sentences in Minsk courts were decided on a mass scale, because out of 390 people arrested in yesterday’s protests, more than 200 will be tried in the capital. The hearings lasted less than 20 minutes, and the only witness’ to give testimonies allowed by judges, were policeman, who dressed in civilian clothes, arrested protesters and occasional by-passers.
An attempt to arrest major Gryshchenka – a deputy head of the Central police station, attests to the haphazard way of dealing with the protest.
Michał Janczuk (TV Biełsat)
