US embassy cable - 05MINSK1041

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