Democratization in Belarusian style: Minsk court considering 17 cases of protesters

There is a kind of full house in Tsentralny district court of Minsk today: judges are considering 17 administrative cases opened against a number of participants in unsanctioned protest rallies which were held by Belarusian entrepreneurs in February and March.

Read also: Authorities ban protest of entrepreneurs

Judge Viktoriya Shabunya has already imposed Br 10.5 mln fine on former political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich; she is to consider cases of poet and politician Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu and entrepreneur Ales Makayeu.

Judge Eduard Matskevich is hearing the cases of pensioner Nina Bahinskaya and film editor Volha Nikalaychyk.

Judge Maryna Kazlova is trying entrepreneur and former political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich and Mikalai Kolas.

Judge Valery Yesman is conducting trials of civil activists Maxim Vinyarski (fine of 50 basic units) and Pavel Vinahradau.

Judge Andrey Dzyankevich is considering the cases of activist Pavel Syarhei and politician Vital Rymasheuski.

Judge Tatsiana Rak is to pass judgment on Mikalai Kazlou and Pavel Sevyarynets.

Judge Ivan Mayseychyk is sitting in judgment upon the cases of politician Vyachaslau Siuchyk and Alyaksandr Abramovich.

Judge Mikhail Khoma is hearing the cases of activist Leanid Kulakou and politician Anatol Lyabedzka.

Read also: ‘Step down!’ Market vendors’ protest against Lukashenka’s decree in Minsk

Interestingly, Belarusian president Alyaksandr Lukashenka promised to use Poland’s example of implementing the social and economic policy at yesterday’s meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski.

“We will try to do it in a way so that no one could ever reproach us for the deficit or absence of democracy,” the Belarusian leader said.

On February 28, Belarusian businessmen openly protested in favor of the abolition of the Decree 222, which limited their ability to trade non-certified, but cheap goods from the Russian wholesale depots.

Belsat.eu