Artsyom Lyabedzka, the son of self-exiled Belarusian opposition politician Anatol Lyabedzka, has gone on trial on a charge of financing an unspecified extremist group. He rejects the accusation. According to the Vyasna human rights group, Judge Yauhen Pisarevich of the Minsk City Court started the trial on August 21. Lyabedzka, 37, was arrested in March and sentenced to 15 days in jail and later remanded in custody. Belarusian rights groups recognized him as a political prisoner. If found guilty, Lyabedzka faces up to eight years in prison. His father, Anatol Lyabedzka, is a member of the Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya-led government in exile. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.
Son Of Self-Exiled Belarusian Politician Goes On Trial On Extremism Charge
Anatol Lyabedzka (left) and his son Artsyom Lyabedzka (photo illustration)