Trial of opposition activist Surhan postponed for January 15
The trial of Taras Surhan, an opposition activist in Vitsebsk, will take place on January 15. Surhan was arrested by plain clothed police agents and forced into a car when he and his fincee came out from their apartment to dispose of trash.
He was later charged with petty hooliganizm. Surhan remained in a pre-trial detention facility through the morning of January 11.
The trial began on January 11 at 0830, although the court opening hours are 0900. Surhan filed a request for a counsel, but all the lawyers he mentioned were not available. The court issued a court subpoena for January 22, but Surhan was returned to a police station where a new summons for January 15 was handed to him.
According to the activist, he links his arrest with the case Sergei Kavalenka, an opposition activist from Vitsebsk, who was detained on January 7. Kavalenka is suspected of hoisting a white-red-white flag on the main Christmas tree on Vitsebsk's main square. He is facing criminal charges of hooliganizm and could be sentenced to six years in prison if convicted.
He was later charged with petty hooliganizm. Surhan remained in a pre-trial detention facility through the morning of January 11.
The trial began on January 11 at 0830, although the court opening hours are 0900. Surhan filed a request for a counsel, but all the lawyers he mentioned were not available. The court issued a court subpoena for January 22, but Surhan was returned to a police station where a new summons for January 15 was handed to him.
According to the activist, he links his arrest with the case Sergei Kavalenka, an opposition activist from Vitsebsk, who was detained on January 7. Kavalenka is suspected of hoisting a white-red-white flag on the main Christmas tree on Vitsebsk's main square. He is facing criminal charges of hooliganizm and could be sentenced to six years in prison if convicted.
