Nizkiz musicians on trial in Minsk
From left to right Alaksandar Ilin, Dźmitryj Chalaŭkin and Siarhiej Kulša
March 19, Pozirk. A district court in Minsk has started hearing a case against Nizkiz band members Alaksandar Ilin, Siarhiej Kulša and Dźmitryj Chalaŭkin, the electronic court schedule says.
Judge Alena Žyvica opened the hearing at 11 am this morning. Musicians are accused of participating in 2020 postelection protests.
All three have been in custody since January 5. Initially, police accused them of sharing opposition content and filed the protest-related criminal charges later.
Belarusian state-run TV claimed that the musicians left Belarus after 2020 and decided to come back. However, the Viasna Human Rights Center said that they actually lived in the country and frequently traveled abroad for gigs.
The fourth band member, guitarist Leanid Nieściaruk, lives in Warsaw.
On February 19, human rights groups declared Ilin, Kulša and Chalaŭkin political prisoners.
Founded in 2008 in Mahiloŭ in eastern Belarus, the indie rock band has five studio albums.
Human rights groups declare six political prisoners
February 19, Pozirk. Six more people have been designated as political prisoners in Belarus, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. This brings the total number to 1,423. The political prisoner status was granted to Nizkiz band members Alaksandar Ilin, Siarhiej …