Viktar Novikaw Is Fined for Fly-sheets
On 7 December 2003 the businessman Viktrar Novikaw was detained by guards of the “Dinamo” stadium while handing out fly-sheets with the invitation to participate in the action, devoted to the international human rights day on 10 December. He was taken to Minsk city police department No. 1. The police drew a report for violation of the second part of Article No. 167.1 of the Code of Administrative Violations. The businessman had to spend the night in the detention center.
Viktatr Novikaw was accused of violation of Article No. 8 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus “About mass measures”, according to which the organizer has no right to inform the public about about the date and the place of the action before its authorization and distribute fly-sheets, posters and other materials with this aim.
On 8 December the administrative case was considered at Minsk Leninski Borough Court. Judge Zhdanok decided to fine Viktar Novikaw 20 minimal wages (about $156).
Punishment of the persons who distriubute fly-sheets with invitations to mass actions upon the second part of Article No. 167.1 of the Code of Administrative Violations has already become a tendency. In such case distributors of fly-sheets are punished as the persons who violate the order of organization of mass measures. Artur Finkevich has been recently punished for it with 15 days of jail. Now he spends the second of his consequent 15-day prison terms which is a lawless practice in “Viasna’s” opinion.
