US and European Heads of Mission Press for Access to NGO

UNCLAS MINSK 000819 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO SUBJECT: US and European Heads of Mission Press for Access to NGO Partnership Trial Ref: Minsk 791 ¶1. (SBU) U.S. and EU embassies in Minsk have taken an assertive and coordinated approach to spotlighting the criminal trial against four young leaders of the prominent NGO Partnerstvo (Partnership). Belarusian authorities accused Timofei Dranchuk, Aleksandr Shalaiko, Nikolai Astreiko, and Enira Bronitskaya of operating an illegal organization, a charge for which they could receive up to three years in prison (reftel). ¶2. (SBU) On August 1, Charge met with family members of the accused activists on trial at the courthouse. In response to questions from independent journalists observing the trial, Charge stated that the diplomatic missions of the United States and the European Union were following the trial closely. He expressed regret that the trial was closed, noting that he did not see a reason for it to be closed and that the closure of the trial disadvantaged both international observers and the family members of the accused. Charge's remarks were reported accurately and positively by several international and independent Belarusian news organizations. Following Charge's visit, OSCE Head of Mission Ambassador Peterson also arrived at the courthouse to confer with the family members. ¶3. (SBU) On August 2, Charge and the German Ambassador on behalf of the Finnish EU presidency arrived together at Tsentralniy courthouse to renew their request that presiding judge Leonid Yasinevich permit international observation of the proceedings but were repeatedly denied entry. German Ambassador Hecker left the courthouse after a brief stay. Charge remained for almost an hour to reiterate to authorities his request for permission to observe the trial, to offer moral support to the families, and to confer with OSCE observers on site. Poloff, well acquainted with the court's security officer, reiterated the request for access which was politely but finally refused. The families repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Charge and the people of the United States for the daily Embassy presence. They also told Charge that the prosecution would likely finish its case late on August 2. Relatives of Dranchuk and Shalaiko informed Charge that two surprise prosecution witnesses were called to the court earlier on August 2 and that these witnesses were not members of Partnership. [Note: On July 28 and July 31, court authorities denied POLOFF and representatives from the OSCE and EU permission to observe the trial, ostensibly for reasons of "witness protection." Relatives of Dranchuk and Shalaiko separately mentioned to POLOFF that a prosecution witness failed to appear at court to testify and that the BKGB had searched the witness' residence at least three times that morning. Family members reported to the OSCE observers and Poloff that the detention center had denied the accused water on July 28 and 31 but provided water on August 1.] MOORE