English

Number of people charged in riot case climbs to 42

The number of people known to have been charged in a so-called riot case that was opened following the December 19 post-election protest in Minsk has increased to 42.

According to human rights defenders, they learned on Friday that formal charges had been brought to Ales Kirkevich and Uladzimir Yaromenak, activists of an opposition youth organization called Malady Front; Dmiztry Drozd, a member of the campaign team of presidential candidate Andrey Sannikaw; and Syarhey Kazakow, an activist of European Belarus, an opposition group led by Mr. Sannikaw.

The people earlier charged in the riot case include five former presidential candidates: Mr. Sannikaw, Ales Mikhalevich, Uladzimir Nyaklyayew, Vital Rymashewski, and Mikalay Statkevich.

Among those with suspect status are former presidential candidates Ryhor Kastusyow and Dzmitry Uss. //BelaPAN