2024-01-22 09:22:57
On January 22, Belarus will start hearing the ByPol case in absentia, according to the schedule on the website of the Supreme Court.
Current and former participants of the ByPol former security forces initiative are on trial Alexander Azarov, Vladimer Zhigar, Matvei Kupreychyk, Igor Loban, Andrey Astapovich, Oleg Talerchyk. The case was investigated in the order of investigation. All of them are abroad.
There are more than 60 volumes in the case, and more than 10 victims are involved in it. Four victims came to the first meeting. Their names are not mentioned, reports Sputnik.
The authorities promised that the trial of the former Belarusian security forces would be open, but as it turned out, part of the court sessions will be held behind closed doors due to the fact that some volumes of the case contain “materials for official use”.
The trial is conducted by a judge Dina Kuchuk.
All those involved are accused of “inciting social enmity”, “conspiracy to seize or retain state power in an unconstitutional way” and “creating an extremist formation”.
The largest number of articles was presented to Alexander Azarov.
According to the department, the activities of the association, recognized as an extremist formation, “were carried out by conducting propaganda work among the protesting part of the population and consolidating these individuals, developing pressure measures on the state management system, exerting physical and psychological influence on representatives of the current government by placing them in open access in on the Internet of their personal data, as well as data of their family members, including minors and minor children.
The oversight agency believes that some members of ByPol developed the “special operation Mobilization Plan “Victory”” and “repeatedly acted as the creators and leaders of the formations “United Transitional Cabinet” and “Commonwealth Movement”, later also recognized as extremists.
Investigations in the case began on September 8, 2023.
In June 2023, ByPol split, the participants of the internal conflict quarreled among themselves, as a result, a settlement with the help of the APC was needed. After the negotiations of the parties involved Svetlana Tikhonovskaya the initiative was divided into the ByPol fund and the BelPol association.
The latter became the owner of the “technical and intellectual capabilities and tools” of the original organization. In turn, the fund, which heads Alexander Azarovkept only the legal name ByPol and the “Victory” plan.
On August 6, Tsikhanovskaya released Azarov from the post of representative of the United Transitional Cabinet in restoring law and order. Azarov’s candidacy was not approved by the Coordination Council after a series of disputes. But the former security officer continues to coordinate the “Victory” plan in cooperation with the cabinet.
Special proceedings in a criminal case may take place in relation to the accused who is outside the borders of Belarus and avoids coming to the body conducting the criminal proceedings. Such proceedings can be carried out for 34 different crimes, which mostly belong to the category of serious and especially serious. Among other things, this is an act of terrorism, genocide, mercenary, treason, sabotage, creation of an extremist formation or participation in it, mass riots, calls for sanctions.
The process of “special conduct” was specially introduced for those political opponents of the regime who are abroad. It provides for a trial in absentia. It was in this way, among others, that politicians were condemned Svetlana Tikhanovskaya (15 years of the general regime colony) and Pavel Latushka (18 years of enhanced regime), as well as bloggers Stepan Putilu (29 years of enhanced regime) and Yana Rudyka (19 years of enhanced regime).
Among those convicted in absentia is also an Olympic medalist Alexander Gerasimen.
What is the ByPol initiative
The ByPol initiative includes former and current employees of the security forces who disagree with the violence, falsifications and mass repressions that have intensified in Belarus after the 2020 elections.
According to a report on the ByPol telegram channel, internal documents of the security forces arrive at the organization’s office daily. Special attention is paid to cooperation with active security forces, which consciously help opponents of the regime.
As a result, ByPol regularly publishes secret departmental decrees and audio recordings of negotiations of high-ranking members of the security forces (for example, ex-head of the KGB Vadim Zaitsev, former head of GUBAZiK Mykola Karpyankov and others).
The initiative unites former Belarusian security forces, including employees of the State Security Committee, the Operative-Analytical Center, the Presidential Security Service and other structures.
In April 2021, the Goml Railway District Court recognized the ByPol Telegram channel as extremist. On November 8, 2021, the court recognized ByPol and the “Victory” mobilization plan developed by the initiative as “extremist formations”.
In June 2023, ByPol split, the participants of the internal conflict quarreled among themselves, as a result, a settlement with the help of the APC was needed. After the negotiations of the parties with the participation of Svetlana Tikhonovskaya, the initiative was divided into the ByPol fund and the BelPol association.
BelPol became the right holder of the “technical and intellectual capabilities and tools” of the original organization. In turn, the fund headed by Alexander Azarov retained only the legal name ByPol and the “Victory” plan.
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