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.
- Politics
- EconomyBelarus officials, entrepreneurs discussing ways to improve business conditionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyGovernment brands 30 people as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUkraine's outgoing envoy: democratic change possible in Belarus after Russia's defeatThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBiełaruski Hajun shuts down after security breachThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja asks Albania to use UN to help Belarusian political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarusians net sellers of foreign currency in JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ foreign exchange reserves up 4.6 percent in JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition, Pact of Free Cities agree on self-government training for BelarusiansThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyOfficials boast expanding cell service coverage in 2024The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, Politics
- EconomyGovernment cuts export duties on selected oil products by 60 percentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: data breach of opposition chat fuels evacuation requestsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- EconomyRussia’s Lada outsells China's Geely in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsHuman rights activists designate 16 as former political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLocal officials to approve appointments of CEOs to private companiesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsOpposition politician Łatuška meets with Dutch ambassador in WarsawThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCIS states debate AI regulationsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Economy
- EconomyŁukašenka wants district authorities to have more control over private businessesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyUK, Lithuania pull out of double tax treaties with BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics
- PoliticsConvicted Belarusian spy wanted in PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: opposition initiative’s data leak linked to two arrests in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security