For attempting to contact a member of a foreign intelligence services without evidence of treason decision Vitebsk regional court Andrei Gaidukov sentenced to one and a half years in a penal colony. Condemned him under Article 356-1 of the Criminal Code (the establishment of cooperation with the special services, security agencies or intelligence agencies of foreign countries). As commented by representatives of the Human Rights Center "Viasna", the article was included in the Criminal Code in November of the year before last and is very vague.

The court was closed. At the last meeting, July 1, at 11:00 am, the hall was attended by the mother and sister of the defendant, the EU and the British Embassy. Friends of the same people who came to support Andrew, as well as representatives of human rights organizations and journalists were not allowed to process. The police referred to the fact that the room was not available. According to human rights activist Paul Levinau for meetings in the new building of the regional court was chosen one of the smaller rooms, although if you want to declare the verdict could be in another room that could accommodate all comers.

Pictures and movies were forbidden. However, the exception to the rule was, as always, state television, which provides a competitive priority. After a few minutes of the meeting of the doors of the court came about two dozen brightly dressed women and young men with cropped hair and habitually lining the sidewalk, under the ironic applause disappeared around the corner of the street. It became clear that the trial was over and the sentence imposed.

The punishment was not too surprising: in principle, it was clear that the judge Galina Urbanowicz should slightly reduce the time who asked the representative of the indictment, but did not immediately release the defendant on freedom, very much hoped that the mother of Andrew. "The sentence is too hard, because there was no espionage", - said Olga Gaidukova. Now, instead of returning home with her son, she is still waiting for the promised July date.

Olga Gaidukova

Gaidukov's lawyer Vadim Mushinski also considers the sentence unjustified and is going to write a complaint against him. Asked about the fact that if the complaint does not pass, then what will happen next, he said: "Time will tell. If the appeal is rejected, then, of course, he will serve his sentence. But, given that it is almost 8 months in custody, there is the possibility of replacing punishment - terms of fit. It is also possible parole violations unless the regime. "Communicate with his client after the verdict lawyer failed because the convoy was in a hurry. Mr. Mushinski hopes that Andrei still be able to quickly see his mother, who has filed a petition for a date.

The question of the legality of the sentence hanging in the air. As summed up by defender Paul Levinau, "it is difficult to talk about the legality of the sentence when the case was heard in closed session. Even at the announcement of the sentence sounded only the operative part, that is: guilty, on which articles, whichever received. And what is the basis for the verdict, we do not know."

Paul Levinau

Mr. Levinau noted that in this trial continued to work in Vitebsk practice when community outreach courts necessarily brought a small room filled with men in civilian clothes who routinely wear uniforms. "Some of them are even outraged that they ripped off" - human rights activist said.

Coordinator of the organizing committee of the party of the Christian Democrats in the Vitebsk region Tatiana Seviarynets that managed to get on the announcement of the verdict, said that Andrew kept very quiet, dignified, intelligent.

Tatiana Seviarynets

Lawyer, a former lawyer for political affairs, who denied a license, a spokesman for the HRC "Viasna" Paul Sapelka said that "the case has been unclear, and it remains as such. During that convicted Gaidukov, so no one knows, but the chairman of the KGB promised that anyone who does not believe (after the trial) will be clear and even ashamed ..." The human rights activist, believes that "and the criminal case, and the sentence are politically motivated character."

Naturally, the reporters could not ask about his impressions of the court in the diplomatic corps of Great Britain and the European Union.

Rudolph Richard, First Counsellor, Head of Political and Press and Information Officer of the European Union to Belarus, to comment on the trial and sentencing diplomatically evaded: "The issues about the court let them do your human rights defenders who, I believe, well the job they do."

Rudolph Richard

An impromptu press conference outside the porch of Vitebsk regional court officers escort service finished, asked, demanded everyone to step aside to let the paddy wagon with a convicted...

According to “Vitebsk Courier”
Photos near the building of the Vitebsk regional court: Dialogue Online Newspaper