Trial in absentia against five dissidents to begin on December 12

November 21, BPN. The Supreme Court has said that the first people investigated under special proceedings will go on trial in the Minisk City Court on December 12.

Janina Sazanovič, Daniił Bahdanovič, Dźmitry Navoša, Volha Vysockaja and Valeryja Zaniamonskaja are alleged administrators of Chernaya Kniga Belarusi (Eng.: Black Book of Belarus), an online project exposing the identities of security officers who mistreated and brutalized peaceful protesters.

The five are charged with incitement to hatred and illegal handling of personal data. The Committee for State Security (KGB) has added them to a terrorist register.

Special proceedings are criminal proceedings against those living abroad and evading contact with investigators. They can lead to trials in absentia and loss of citizenship.