Trial of Lukashenko´s main political rival begins

After Viktor Babariko expressed his intention to run for president, he was arrested on 17^th of June ahead of a presidential election along with his son Eduard. Babriko was head of the local offshoot of Russia's Gazprombank before running for president. He was considered a realistic threat to Lukashenko's chances at the polls.

The deregistered human rights centre Viasna made an urgent application to the UN Human Rights Council in reference to the current trial. The centre asks to assess the violation of the principle of publicity of the trial and the discriminatory approach in the accreditation of independent media, which were not admitted to hearings in the Babariko case.

The case is being considered by the Supreme Court.