English

One more man becomes known to have been charged in riot case

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 by one man, according to Belarusian human right defenders.

Yawhen Sakret, who was arrested during the unsanctioned protest, served a 10-day jail term for participation in it and then he was transferred to the Minsk police department’s detention center on Valadarskaha Street, where he has been held since then.

There has been no more information about the man.

There are a total of 39 people known to have been charged in the riot case. Eleven other people have suspect status.

The first trial in the riot case was held on February 17, with a district judge in Minsk sentencing a young opposition activist, Vasil Parfyankow, to four years in prison on a charge of participation in mass disorder. Of the seven post-election protesters who have stood trial since then, four received prison sentences of three to four years, two were heavily fined and one was sentenced to a three-year "restricted freedom" term. //BelaPAN