Entrepreneurs charged with 'terrorism' plead not guilty

Mikalai Autukhovich and Uladzimir Asipenka, the entrepreneurs from Vaukavysk charged with terrorism and who organized street protest actions against the government, today pleaded not guilty during a hearing at the Supreme Court of Belarus. Those on trial are: Mikalai Autukhovich, Uladzimir Asipenka, Alyaksandr Laryn and Mikhail Kazlou. The first three are charged with plotting a terror attack on two government offcials -- deputy revenue minister Vasil Kamyanko and former Hrodna region governor Uladzimir Sauchanka, reports Belapan. Autukhovich and asipenka are also charged with arsoning the house of former Vaukavysk District Police Department Vital Katsuba in 2004.

Prosecutor Eldar Safarov told the judge that Laryn had bought firearms, TNT and electric shockers on the instructions of Autukhovich and Antsipenka who planned to use the details of the arms to improvise explosives.

Mikhail Kazlou, the former police Lt. Col. who headed the organized crime task force in the Hrodna region, is charged with knowing about the terror plans but doing noting to prevent the alleged crime.

Autukhovich, Asipenka and Kazlou did not plead guilty. Laryn pleaded guilty partially. After the hearing he said that he had indeed stored and transported the explosives.

Laryn also pleaded guilty to plotting a terror act. When the judge said the court was accepting his statement as guilty, Laryn said he needed time to revise his position.