Statkevich, Tsikhanouski and Losik to stand closed trial in detention center, NN reports
Mikala Statkevich, Syarhei Tsikhanouski, Ihar Losik, and other defendants in the criminal case, most likely, will not even be taken to court, Nasha Niva reports.
The political prisoners are going to be tried behind closed doors directly in the detention center in Homiel. If this happens, it will not be a unique situation. Cases with many defendants were handled in Minsk detention center #1 and the detention centers of regional centers before, says the newspaper.
Mikalai Statkevich, Syarhei Tsikhanouski, and Ihar Losik are to be tried together with Uladzimir Tsyhanovich (“MozgOn”), Tsikhanouski cameraman Artsyom Sokau and moderator of the social networks “Country for Life” Dzmitry Papou. Homiel regional court will consider the case.
All detainees are charged with “organization of mass riots” (Part 1 Article 293 of the Criminal Code). Ihar Losik and Uladzimir Tsyhanovich were also charged with “inciting social hatred against representatives of the authorities and law-enforcing bodies” (part 3 of Art.) 130 of the criminal code). Syarhei Tsikhanouski, Artsyom Sokau, and Dzmitry Papou are accused of “fomenting enmity” and “organization of group actions that grossly violate public order” (part 1 of article 342 of the Criminal Code), as well as of “threatening” to the chair of the Central Election Commission (part 2 of article 191 of the Criminal Code).
All persons involved in the case have been recognized as political prisoners.
