Defendants dismiss political trial as unfair

May 31, Pozirk. Prominent exiled political experts and journalists pointed out numerous violations in criminal special proceedings that target those living abroad and evading contact with investigators.

Belarusian authorities ignore official requests to provide information on the criminal charges and violate the right to fair defense, 14 out of 20 defendants said in a statement released ahead of trial in absentia scheduled to open today in Minsk.

The defendants pointed out that the state failed to guarantee their right to fair defense in the criminal trial, noting that some of them do not even know the names of their attorneys provided by the state.

Investigators claimed that all defendants are linked to Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, a former opposition presidential candidate forced into exile.

The charges against them range from inciting hatred and calling for sanctions to creating an extremist group and plotting to seize power.

The accusations represent a continuing attack on the independent analytical, expert and journalistic community, the statement stressed.

Defendants include Cichanoŭskaja’s senior political aide Alaksandar Dabravolski, spokeswoman Hanna Krasulina, special representative for elections Alaksandar Šłyk, aide Dzianis Kučynski, as well as journalists Juryj Drakachrust of RFE/RL and Hanna Lubakova, a former RFE/RL and Belsat TV reporter.

Ryhor Astapenia, director of the Belarusian Initiative at Chatham House; Andrej Kazakievič of the Political Sphere Institute; Alaksandar Łahviniec of Free Belarusian University; sociologist Filip Bikanaŭ; researchers Veranika Łapućka and Taćciana Čulickaja; political scientists Maryja Rohava, Alesia Rudnik, Kaciaryna Šmacina, Piotra Rudkoŭski and Pavieł Vusaŭ are among the accused. 

The list also includes Jaŭhien Kryžanoŭski, Vasil Navumaŭ and SYMPA/BIPART expert Natalla Rabava.

Also read: “Cichanoŭskaja’s think-tankers” to be tried by Minsk Regional Court