Photo by TUT.BY

Dozens of people came to the building of Pieršamajski Regiona Court in Minsk to support Elena Tonkacheva, the Chair of the Board of the Legal Transformation Center (Lawtrend). The court listened to all the witnesses; however, there wasn’t enough time to hear all the witnesses in the case.

Before the consideration of the case in the talk with the EuroBelarus Information Service Elena Tonkacheva expressed hope that the court won’t agree with the decision taken by the militia that says that Elena’s stay in Minsk poses threat to the public security.

“I expect considerate study of all materials to the case and review of the decision taken earlier,” told human rights fighter.

On January 8 the court didn’t make any decision; the consideration of the case is taking place today at 11 a.m. in the building of Pieršamajski Regiona Court in Minsk.

Let us recall that the Chair of the Board of the Center for Legal Transformation (Lawtrend) Elena Tonkacheva has been living in Belarus for about 30 years, has property, family, and permanent job here, but is a Russian citizen. For 20 years she and her organization have been carrying out human rights activities as well as judicial and expert support for Belarusan NGOs.

The head of the Legal Transformation Center (Lawtrend), received the notice of cancellation of the residence permit and consideration of her expulsion from Belarus on October 30. The reason for this decision of the authorities lied in administrative offences in the form of minor speedings while driving registered by cameras.

Despite the absurdity of the situation, on November 5 the Department of Internal Affairs of Pershamaiski district in Minsk decided to deprive Elena Tonkacheva of the right of entry for three years and ordered her to leave Belarus within a month. Elena Tonkacheva is going to appeal against this decision in accordance with established legal procedure.

On December 24 Elena Tonkacheva filed an appeal to the court. Because of that her deportation was postponed until January 24, i.e. before the court announces the verdict.