Opposition politician says judges to answer for politically-motivated convictions

May 24, Pozirk. The trial of Franak Viačorka, exiled regime critic and aide to opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, will open at 10.30 am on May 31, says the electronic court schedule.
Judge Valancina Ziańkievič, known for passing harsh sentences in politically-motivated cases, will preside over proceedings which will be held without the defendant being present.
Three months ago, the Investigative Committee accused Viačorka of conspiracy to overthrow the government, high treason, inciting hatred, organizing mass riots, participating in protests, calling for sanctions, discrediting Belarus, defaming Alaksandar Łukašenka and extremism-related crimes.
“Let them choke on their special proceedings and their charges,” Viačorka has told Pozirk in a comment on the upcoming trial. “I don’t recognize their ‘trial’ but I will do my best to hold accountable this HUBAZiK [a short name for interior ministry’s organized crime unit] clad in robes, as well as all those involved in the reprisals against Belarusians.”
The politician pledged to fight for the liberation of Belarus from Łukašenka’s rule and the release of all people imprisoned in politically-motivated cases.
The Investigative Committee filed criminal charges against hundreds of exiled activists. The Committee for State Security (KGB) also has a list of people it seeks to prosecute in absentia.
Amendments listing 34 offenses and allowing for investigations and trials in absentia came into effect in July 2022.

Authorities step up reprisals ahead of Coordination Council vote
- EconomyVegetable prices soared in May amid shortagesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsOpposition urges EU to fund social support foundation for BelarusiansThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelGee sales rise in May y/y, drop m/mThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- EconomyMAZ truck sales plunge y/y in RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSlovak ambassador presents copies of credentials to Belarusian foreign ministerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPolitician argues for support of Belarus’ pro-democracy forces at Brussels consultative group meetingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition leader: Łukašenka profits from Russia’s war on UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyForeign medical student numbers surge in Belarus since 2020The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsUkraine sanctions Belarusian Red Cross headThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCore inflation accelerating since JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsIran’s president to visit Minsk in late JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyIrregular crossings from Belarus into Poland exceed 12,000 since year's startThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsReprisals: KGB steps up efforts to infiltrate exiled oppositionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRyžankoŭ, Lavrov discuss Belarus’ participation in peace talksThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- EconomyŁukašenka links potato shortage to discontent with price controlsThe material is available only to POZIRK+