Anatol Liabedzka: Judges In Belarus Act As “Political Killers”
- 20.11.2015, 16:37
The politician believes that in case “Brussels’ list” is not working, Belarusian lists of judges and policemen who deserve sanctions, should be created.
On November 20 the court of Central district of Minsk sentenced the chairman of the United Civil Party Anatol Liabedzka to a fine, 50 basic units (Br9 million) for “active participation in the unsanctioned protest in front of the KGB building on October 29.”
He was sentenced to the fine by Judge Viktoryja Shabunia. In the beginning of the legal proceedings Anatol Liabedzka asked to disqualify the judge, and said that judges act as “political killers” in Belarus. After the ruling was made, Anatol Liabedzka said to journalists that the result had been predictable for him, and said that he was going to appeal from the judgement at the city court, Radio Svaboda informs.
Earlier opposition leaders Mikalai Statkevich, Uladzimir Niakliayeu and an activist Maxim Viniarski were fined 50 basic units for participation in the same rally. They didn’t appear in the court. Why Anatol Liabedzka decided to come to the court, as the result was be predictable as he said?
“There was no point in my coming there. I express gratitude to those who supported me. Why have I come? I think that we should not create comfortable situation for them, and the truth always looks stronger than lies. Today we are at the stage when monitoring of the situation is needed. At the moment many people abroad are saying that something positive is taking place in our country, that liberalization is allegedly taking place. But it is impossible to refute that, to say that people’s rights are still violated, when we do not have any concrete deeds and proofs.
What has happened today? The policemen who have come to give evidence against me, in fact withdrew their written evidence. One of them was so confused that it was clear he was lying. It is obvious that all explanations by policemen have been carbon-copied, they had been prepared in advance, that certain policemen appear at the rallies on purpose. The today’s decision was ready on October 29, I think, when policeman Zubtsou came to the KGB building with an intention to draw up a report against me for a violation. But it all fell apart. As a result, the judge didn’t state in the ruling that the guilt had been confirmed in this way, as she usually writes. She refused to write so, which is a little victory.
That is why my comment is as following. The fine is an unpleasant thing certainly, as we have to support this system by money. But I think the time has come to create “the Belarusian list.” When the Brussels list is gone, and problems remain, our Belarusian lists of judges and policemen who deserve sanctions, should be created,” – Anatol Liabedzka said.
The proposal of Anatol Liabedzka at the court has been supported by the former judge of the Constitutional court Mikhail Pastukhou, who observed the trial.
“I have come on purpose, to look at the trial and to what kind of justice we have now. Once again I am disappointed in our Belarusian court. I am convinced that we need a judicial reform, as such trials should not exist, and such judges should not exist. And I support the initiative of Anatol Liabedzka that the country should know its “heroes.”
As for the verdict, I view it not only as a verdict to a politician, but as a verdict to all people who are ready to defend the truth and their rights. That is why I think that we should unite in order to collect money to pay the fines for the people who had been convicted by the dependent justice,” – Pastukhou said.
In the court Mikhail Pastukhou gave UCP activists Br200,000 from his own money.