ORSHA MEMBER OF CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE PARTY FINED FOR PICKET OF 1 YEAR AGO

The trial over Yuras Konyshka lasted the whole year. Yuras Konyshka was one of the organizers of the picket, which took place in Orsha on January 11, 2003. The police officers claim, the posters used in the picket insulted honor and dignity of Alexander Lukashenka. The court fined Yuras Konyshka 20 basic values, which makes 330,000 rubles (about 150 USD). Two other organizers of the picket were tried 6 months ago. Yawhenia Kazlova and Uladzimer Karabanaw received fines of the same amount for using a poster which said “Lukashism Destroys Belarus”. Though the amount of 20 basic values was worth only 288,000 rubles 6 months ago.
The authorities could not charge Mr. Konyshka earlier. He was judge’s assistant and was not subject to administrative charges without a proper sanction of the Regional Council. On September 5 the regional Council voted to deprive Mr. Konyshka of his immunity status, enabling the court to continue the trial. Today Orsha city court Judge Ihar Kalesnik brought the trial to a conclusion.