Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MINSK1041
2005-09-02 14:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
Georgian Activists Released and Have Left
how-toVZCZCXRO8032 RR RUEHDBU DE RUEHSK #1041 2451439 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 021439Z SEP 05 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2907 INFO RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI 0111 RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0635 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 001041
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: 09/02/15
TAGS: PGOV PREL GG BO
SUBJECT: Georgian Activists Released and Have Left
Belarus
Classified by Charge Constance Phlipot for Reasons 1.4
(B,D)
Refs: A) Minsk 1014, B) Minsk 1024
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 001041
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: 09/02/15
TAGS: PGOV PREL GG BO
SUBJECT: Georgian Activists Released and Have Left
Belarus
Classified by Charge Constance Phlipot for Reasons 1.4
(B,D)
Refs: A) Minsk 1014, B) Minsk 1024
1. (C) Summary: On September 2, two detained Georgians
won their court appeal, were released, and immediately
left Belarus for Kiev. The Kmara activists were
arrested in Minsk on August 24 for invalid documents and
then sentenced to 15 days for insulting their cellmate.
With help from a Belarusian lawyer and Georgian
diplomats from Kiev and Moscow, a judge upheld their
appeal and ordered their release. End Summary.
2. (C) On September 2, lawyer for the two jailed
Georgians Vera Stremkovskaya contacted the Embassy to
announce that her clients won their appeal and would
immediately leave Belarus after spending nine days in
jail (reftels). The deputy chairman of the Minsk City
Court upheld the Georgians' appeal, ruling that the
administrative charges should be dropped since the men's
detainment was illegal and the reasons baseless.
3. (C) The Moscow District Court judge who convicted the
men for insulting their cellmate was allegedly very rude
with the detainees and Stremkovskaya. During the
appeal, he was reluctant to provide copies of court
documents, interpreters, or witnesses. Stremkovskaya
noted the work of foreign diplomats was a key element in
the men's release. She could not, however, verify
whether the city court judge decided himself to release
the men or if he was ordered to do so. Stremkovskaya
told the press that the Georgians were leaving the
country voluntarily and were not being deported.
4. (C) Post contacted the Georgian Consul from Kiev who
verified the information as he boarded the plane for
Kiev with the two detainees. He thanked the Embassy for
its support and interest in the case.
PHLIPOT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: 09/02/15
TAGS: PGOV PREL GG BO
SUBJECT: Georgian Activists Released and Have Left
Belarus
Classified by Charge Constance Phlipot for Reasons 1.4
(B,D)
Refs: A) Minsk 1014, B) Minsk 1024
1. (C) Summary: On September 2, two detained Georgians
won their court appeal, were released, and immediately
left Belarus for Kiev. The Kmara activists were
arrested in Minsk on August 24 for invalid documents and
then sentenced to 15 days for insulting their cellmate.
With help from a Belarusian lawyer and Georgian
diplomats from Kiev and Moscow, a judge upheld their
appeal and ordered their release. End Summary.
2. (C) On September 2, lawyer for the two jailed
Georgians Vera Stremkovskaya contacted the Embassy to
announce that her clients won their appeal and would
immediately leave Belarus after spending nine days in
jail (reftels). The deputy chairman of the Minsk City
Court upheld the Georgians' appeal, ruling that the
administrative charges should be dropped since the men's
detainment was illegal and the reasons baseless.
3. (C) The Moscow District Court judge who convicted the
men for insulting their cellmate was allegedly very rude
with the detainees and Stremkovskaya. During the
appeal, he was reluctant to provide copies of court
documents, interpreters, or witnesses. Stremkovskaya
noted the work of foreign diplomats was a key element in
the men's release. She could not, however, verify
whether the city court judge decided himself to release
the men or if he was ordered to do so. Stremkovskaya
told the press that the Georgians were leaving the
country voluntarily and were not being deported.
4. (C) Post contacted the Georgian Consul from Kiev who
verified the information as he boarded the plane for
Kiev with the two detainees. He thanked the Embassy for
its support and interest in the case.
PHLIPOT