Uladzimir Kondrus to undergo forensic psychiatric expert examination

Uladzimir Kondrus will undergo a forensic psychiatric evaluation, according to the order of Minsk's Maskouski District Court. Kondrus is facing charges of taking part in "mass riots" during the post-election protests in Independence Square in Minsk on December 19, 2010. .

During the first hearing earlier today, the political prisoner lay down on the floor in the court cage and tried to cut his veins. According to his lawyer, Kondrus acted to protest against his trial in the Square 2010 case. The judge adjourned the hearing and called an ambulance so that doctors could check Kondrus' health condition.

After Judge Sviatlana Bandarenka threatened to remove the defendant from the courtroom over his behavior, one of the police officers shouted: "He is cutting his veins!" The judge again called an ambulance and adjourned the session. It is unclear what Uladzimir Kondrus tried to use to cut the veins. Probably, he was stopped right away by the guards.

The judge later announced that Kondrus was referred to undergo a forensic psyciatric evaluation. The prosecutor agreed. Human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich says the psychiatric evaluation can last for up to one month. No hearings can be held while the evaluation is in progress.