Viasna’s case ready to go to court – Investigative Committee

November 26, BPN. A criminal case against the leaders of the Viasna Human Rights Center has been forwarded to the prosecutors, Anatol Vasiljeŭ, deputy head of the Investigative Committee, told SB. Belarus Segodnya.

The official claimed that Viasna was seeking financial gains instead of providing legal assistance.

“We managed to find out that they were involved in the smuggling of foreign currency, transporting across the border at least $290,000 in cash,” he said. “This amount is only what the investigators have recorded and proved. They are convinced that there was much more money.”

Authorities consider these actions, including payment of fines for protesters, as preparation and financing of riots, Vasiljeŭ added.

Viasna’s founder and chair Aleś Bialacki, his deputy Valancin Stefanovič and coordinator of the Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections campaign Uładzimir Łabkovič were arrested in July 2021 on tax evasion charges.

The charges were dropped in September 2022, only to be followed by accusations of smuggling and training protesters.

In October, Bialacki won the Nobel Peace Prize.