Graffitists to stand trial on January 25 (video)

‘The graffitists’ case’ will be considered in Minsk Frunze District Court at 11 a.m. on January 25. Maksim Pyakarski, Vadzim Zharomski and Vyachaslau Kasinerau will stand trial.

The case was started not long before the presidential election of 2015. The riot police arrested five young men on August 11. There of them were detained, the others were let off. They were suspected of painting the graffiti ‘Belarus must be Belarusian’ and ‘Revolution of Conscience has already begun…’. They were also suspected of spoiling a big board displaying policemen. They were accused of group hooliganism and let off on recognition later.

The expertise of the inscriptions did not reveal any traces of extremism in them, the accused told journalists.

Maksim Pyakarski’s charges were changed to doing damage to property and buildings later. He is no longer accused of spoiling the big board.

Vadzim Zharomski is accused of group hooliganism and doing damage to property. The graffiti and the spoilt big board are mentioned in his case.

Vyachaslau Kasinerau is accused of spoiling the big board. The losses total 2 million 200 thousand roubles and the young men have already compensated for them. Nevertheless, Kasinerau will also stand trial for group hooliganism and doing damage to property. 

 Yaraslau Ulyanenka was also one of the suspects. However, all the charges have been lifted from him and he is a witness now.