Coordination Council case: Lawyer Illya Saley’s house arrest extended for two months
The Prosecutor General’s Office has extended the house arrest of lawyer Illya Saley for another two months, until 16 February 2021, the press service of imprisoned might-have been-presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka reports.
“Illya will have to welcome in the New Year alone. He is forbidden to leave his flat, to communicate with anyone (with the exception of lawyers). He is not allowed to use the Internet, make calls and send paper letters,” the statement reads.
Illya Saley worked as a lawyer at Babaryka’s election office; he was a legal representative of opposition activist Maryia Kalesnikava as well. On September 9, he was detained as part of the so called Coordination Council case along with another lawyer, Maksim Znak. On the back of Alyaksandr Lukashenka‘s meeting with political prisoners in the KGB prison, Saley’s measure of restraint was changed. On October 17, he was reported to be placed under house arrest.
As reported earlier, Lukashenka’s strongest rival Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya initiated the creation of the Coordination Council as part of taking urgent measures to restore law and order in Belarus as well as to ensure the transfer of power in the country. Belarus’ Prosecutor General initiated criminal proceedings over establishing the Council, naming it a ‘threat to national security’. The authorities believe the body aims at seizing power in Belarus.
Belsat.eu
