Cyclist detained for disobedience to police faces pornography charges

Cyclist Dzmitry Paliyenka will stand trial in Minsk Central District at 10 a.m. on October 11. Judge Valery Esman will consider the case, the human rights website Viasna reports.

The young man is accused of violence or a threat of violence directed at a policeman.  He is facing up to six years of imprisonment for it. Furthermore, Paliyenka is accused of pornography production and distribution which may result in 2-4 years of imprisonment.

Paliyenka and other participants of the bicycle action Critical Mass were rudely detained on the evening of April 29. Minsk riot policemen detained six people and severely beat them, rights defenders report. Four of the detained signed reports about road rules violation and disobedience to the police. Criminal cases were started against the other two cyclists.

The punishment does not correspond to Paliyenka’s violation, rights defenders say.

You can letters of support to the prisoner: Paliyenka Dzmitry Alyaksandravich, SIZO-8, Savetskaya Street 22, Zhodzina, Minsk Region, 222160.