A Minsk court will start considering the criminal case of Svyataslau Baranovich on February, 15. The former political prisoner is accused of violence against a law enforcement officer.
On 15 March 2017, after the March of Non-Parasites which was authorized by Minsk authorities, Baranovich was among the people who prevented policemen from brutally detaining protesters at the bus stop Bangalore Square.
The case will be reviewed by judge Svyatlana Bandarenka. The hearing will begin at 14:00 in Maskouski district court, human rights centre Viasna reports.
In accordance with Article 364 of the Criminal Code, Baranovich may be sentenced to a three or six-month arrest; or restriction of liberty for up to five years; or imprisonment for up to six years.
Svyataslau Baranovich was arrested on October, 3. He is kept in remand prison Nr 1 in Minsk.
Baranovich also participated in the post-election protests on December, 19 2010. He was charged under Article 293-2 (participation in mass riot) for taking part in the peaceful protest rally. The man had to spend 2 months in prison. Belarusian human rights defenders recognised him as a political prisoner.
belsat.eu
