A trial in absentia of one of the leaders of the Belarusian opposition Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has begun in Belarus. She is charged with a number of charges, in particular, conspiracy to seize power and treason.

В The trial of Tikhanovskaya has begun in Belarus

This Channel 24 was told by the journalist of the Belarusian service of Radio Liberty Valery Kalinovsky. He said that this is a new phenomenon in Belarus – the so-called investigations in absentia and trials in absentia without the presence and interrogation of the accused.

According to him, Lukashenka adopted special laws for this, and such evidence passes very quickly.

They “collect something” in a few weeks and they judge an “empty bench”, appoint lawyers, similar to how Medvedchuk “defended” Stus. It all happens very quickly. The first “verdict” is expected tomorrow, Kalinouski stressed.

He says that now there is news that Lukashenka will pass a law to formally revoke the citizenship of such convicts, as well as confiscate their property.

“These are political repressions against those people who opposed Lukashenka. This is Lukashenka's kind of revenge on those people who oppose him, do not recognize his fake victory and express opposition to his actions to involve Belarus in the war against Ukraine” , – Kalinovsky explains.

The journalist noted that Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is in Davos at the Economic Forum, as a representative of Belarus for the first time in many years.

How Tikhanovskaya reacted to the trial

Kalinovskaya said that Tikhanovskaya already spoke about the trial in absentia against her. She stated that it was not her who should be tried, but Lukashenka – for his treason and mockery, for dragging Belarus into the war. her trial in absentia.

Today begins the very “absentia proceedings” that the regime began against me. Blamed for all possible crimes under 10 articles. It is difficult to seriously comment on this farce, but I am not going to ignore this violation of rights. I learned about the trial from the media, and not from the official announcement,” Tikhanovskaya said.

According to her, she was denied the right to participate in the meeting, as well as to receive copies of the accusations and protocols. “And the lawyer appointed by the court, despite my attempts to contact him, never got in touch. How is he going to defend me? I'm sure that this was not part of his plans,” she added.

Tsikhanouskaya stressed that everyone involved in this process will not be able to intimidate or discredit her, but they only provide direct evidence of their crimes against the people of Belarus. “Three years ago, I didn't think that someday I would be prosecuted in absentia,” she added.

Kalinowski commented on the trial of Tikhanovskaya in Belarus: video

The journalist also noted that opposition leader Pavel Latushko was also summoned to court. He sent an application to the court to refuse the services of such a lawyer, but he was not accepted, the court rejected the application.

Now those who are against the war in Ukraine are being actively judged

Kalinovskiy admitted that now there isanother peak of this terror and repression. Human rights activists have calculated that in the past month alone, the number of trials and sentences has tripled. Ukraine. And here we are not even talking about partisans, they are sentenced to 18 years in prison, they are mocked in prisons and pre-trial detention centers, they suffer seriously. he says.

In his opinion, Lukashenka simply understands that society does not support his desire to participate in the war and integrate into the Russian adventure.