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International Federation for Human Rights demands reversal of Haydukow’s sentence

 

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has demanded the reversal of the prison sentence against young opposition activist Andrey Haydukow.

On Monday, a judge of the Vitsyebsk Regional Court sentenced the 23-year-old Haydukow to one and a half years in prison, finding him guilty of attempting to “establish contacts with foreign intelligence agencies without signs of high treason,” an offense penalized under a recently adopted appendix to the Criminal Code’s Article 356.

“From the beginning of this case, the procedure has involved several disturbing and even illegal elements, including a lack of transparency regarding methods of investigation, the infringement of Mr Haidukou [Haydukow]’s right to defend himself (by limiting meetings with his lawyer), unjustified requalification of the charges against Mr. Haidukou very shortly before his the trial and KGB involvement in the process,” the Federation says in a statement.

The offense with which Mr. Haydukow is charged does not fit into the category of socially dangerous crimes, and yet, since November 2012, he has been deprived of his liberty under Article 356, which penalizes high treason, despite the fact that this charge was later dropped, the Federation says, adding that the new charge does not justify trial behind closed doors.

“In light of the procedural violations and politically motivated nature of the trial, FIDH requests the revision of the verdict in accordance with the law, the Belarusian Constitution, and international standards on the right to a defense and a fair and transparent trial,” the statement says. //BelaPAN