Trial Begins In Minsk Of Activists Over Brawl With Employees Of Belarusian Embassy In London

The Belarusian Embassy in London

The Minsk City Court on August 21 started a trial in absentia of four activists over a brawl with employees of the Belarusian Embassy in London in December 2021 during a rally protesting the official results of an August 2020 presidential poll that announced authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka as the winner. Vadzim Bahakou, Maksim Zuyeu, Alyaksandr Napreyenka, and Syarhey Rabushka, who all currently reside outside of Belarus, were charged with inciting hatred and inflicting damage to property. Bahakou and Zuyeu were additionally charged with assaulting officials. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.