Prominent Belarusian culture advocate’s trial closed to public

February 20, BPN. Judge Žana Brysina has granted the prosecutor’s request to close to the public the trial of Pavieł Biełavus, the founder and owner of the Symbal.by store selling national-themed goods, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

The prosecutor reportedly wanted to prevent the disclosure of information posted on the resources blacklisted as extremist in Belarus.

Biełavus faces criminal charges of high treason, organizing protests, calling for national security to be undermined and leading an extremist group.

Earlier, the Investigative Committee claimed that he has been trying to change the government by unconstitutional means for 10 years “under the guise of cultural and historical promotion on various social networks and websites.” It also said he has been receiving foreign funding for his activities.

Authorities say that Biełavus developed “information products, including photos and videos” to provoke people to “the most radical actions” in 2020. They also accuse him of leading the opposition’s Belarusian Council for Culture.