New faces in Belarusian protest movement evolve from criminal prosecution

The Moscow district court in Minsk started hearings of Vladimir Kondrus case, a new defendant in a high-profile case of the mass disorder after the 2010 elections. His unprecedented non-conformist behaviour during the investigation and in the courtroom surprised even former political prisoners from the opposition and drew increased public attention. He may become a role model for other prisoners. It is noteworthy that the authorities have switched from prosecuting opposition leaders to prosecuting active citizens not connected with the titular opposition, such as blogger Eduard Palchys and participant in the postelection street protests in 2010, Vladimir Kondrus. Due to the criminal prosecution, previously unknown activists have become public figures with a potential to become protest movement leaders.