Protesters' trial: Judge questions prosecution witnesses
Minsk's Central District Court today resumed the trial of 10 participants of the January 2008 protests by continuing to question prosecution witnesses. Not all the people, including youth activist Zmitser Khvedaruk, were today able to enter the court-house. Khvedaruk told the European Radio for Belarus what had happened before the hearing was resumed:
"Today, the judge did not allow to enter the hearing room again. The activists on trial said that they would not attend the trial until their supporters and friends were allowed in. And they walked out of the building. The judge had to make concessions and allow several activists to come in. At the same time, a lot of police officers entered the hearing room, leaving little space for those who came to support the courageous youth".
Some 20 youth activists remained outside of the court's building.
"Today, the judge did not allow to enter the hearing room again. The activists on trial said that they would not attend the trial until their supporters and friends were allowed in. And they walked out of the building. The judge had to make concessions and allow several activists to come in. At the same time, a lot of police officers entered the hearing room, leaving little space for those who came to support the courageous youth".
Some 20 youth activists remained outside of the court's building.
