Number of suspects in mass disorders case reaches 25

Participants of the action that took place on December 19 have been added on the list – Dzmitry Novik and Mikita Lihavid. The latter is serving a 15-day sentence in Zhodzina detention centre. The 23rd suspect is the head of Mikalai Statkevich’s election centre Syarhei Martsaleu who was made to get off a Minsk-Warsaw train at the Belarusian border. The suspects are facing from 3 to 15 years of imprisonment, informs a human rights centre “Vyasna”.

Seven former presidential candidates are among the suspects: Alyaksei Mihalevich, Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu, Vital Rymasheuski, Andrei Sannikau and Mikalai Statkevich jailed in the detention centre and Ryhor Kastusyou and Dzmitry Us who had to give a written undertaking not to leave the state.

The other 18 suspects are representatives of the candidates’ election teams, civil activists, journalists and a former policeman:

- Alyaksandr Arastovіch, Statkevich’s representative;

- Dzmіtry Bandarenka, Sannikau’s representative;

- Syarhei Vaznyak, Nyaklyayeu’s representative;

- Andrei Dzmitryyeu, head of Nyaklyayeu’s election team;

- Alyaksandr Klaskouskі, former policeman;

- Uladzіmіr Kobets, head of Sannikau’s election team;

- Aleh Korban, representative of presidential candidate Yaraslau Ramanchuk;

- Anatol Lyabedzka, Ramachuk’s representative;

- Mіkіta Lіhavіd, action participant;

- Syarhei Martsaleu, head of Statkevich’s election team;

- Dzmіtry Novіk, action participant;

- Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, Sannikau’s press secretary;

- Anatol Paulau, head of Ramanchuk’s election team;

- Anastasіya Palazhanka, deputy head of “Young Front” - an international youth organization registered in Czechia;

- Natallya Radzіna, editor of the website charter97.org;

- Pavel Sevyarynets, head of Rymasheuski’s election team;

- Alyaksandr Fyaduta, Nyaklyayeu’s representative;

- Іryna Halіp, reporter of the Russian “Novaya Gazeta”, Andrei Sannikau’s wife.

The detained will either be accused or released within 10 days after their detention.