Heightened security as metro blast hearing begins in Minsk
Minsk, September 15 (AZERTAC). Unprecedented security measures are in place as the Minsk metro bombers go on trial in Minsk, BelTA has learnt.
The hearing opens in the Minsk House of Justice at 11h00 (local time). The courtroom that can accommodate more than 500 people has been searched for possible explosives. Security has been increased inside the House of Justice.
Taking part in the hearing will be all 523 victims. The court trial will be covered by over 3o Belarusian and foreign mass media outlets, including Reuters, Bloomberg, EPA, Kyodo Tsushin.
In the dock are residents of Vitebsk Dmitry Konovalov and Vladislav Kovalyov, both born in 1986. Dmitry Konovalov is accused of breaching over 30 articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. Vladislav Kovalyov is accused of taking part in 15 unlawful acts. The act of terror in the Minsk metro on 11 April is considered the most high-profile case, the maximum punishment for which is a death penalty.
The explosion in the Minsk metro rocked the Oktyabrskaya station on 11 April 2011. The terrorist attack killed 11 people immediately, while 4 died in hospital. Hundreds were injured. The Minsk subway was partially closed for several days.
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