Tonkacheva court hearing to resume on January 9

On January 8,  the hearing of the human rights activist Alena Tankachova started at the Pershamaisky district court in Minsk. The director of the Center for Legal Transformation Lawtrend is challenging the ruling of Pershamaisky district police over her expulsion from Belarus.

There was not enough time to hear all the witnesses, so the hearing was adjourned till 11:00 on January 9. According to Human Rights Center Viasna, tomorrow there will be a witness in court to testify, which may explain the socially dangerous act Tankachova as well as correspondence with the public complaints.

On November 5, Pershamaiski district court decided to expel the human rights activist for three years. The decision was made within a month. She is also forbidden to visit Belarus in the next three years. The reason for the decision was minor speeding recorded by traffic police cameras.

While the human rights activist is appealing this decision, she gets the registration for temporary residence in Belarus. Russian national Elena Tonkacheva has lived in Belarus for about 30 years. She has her own apartment and job in Minsk.

At the hearing on January 8, witnesses said how significant Tonkacheva's actions were for Belarus, for the protection of human rights, to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, etc.


Photos: spring96.org