Activists Fined for Spreading People’s Coalition Five Plus Leaflets

Horki administration fined Dziamyan Frankowski, activist of Voter’s Club, for spreading leaflets of the People’s Coalition Five Plus.
The charge was based on the complaint of chairman of Horki Veterans’ Union Markowski. He asked the police to look into the activities of local young people who distribute Five Plus leaflets. He attached several leaflets without the imprint to his complaint. Besides that, Mr. Markowski demonstrated enviable awareness by pointing out the city distribution coordinator Dziamyan Frankowski, reports press service of the NGO Assembly.
Talking with the district police officer Mr. Frankowski, member of the local Voters’ Club, did not deny the fact. He thought it was not honest to hide his political convictions. He was honest with the administrative commission as well. The commission members had a hard time deciding what to fine the activist for.
According to Dziamyan Frankowski, members of the commission, having read the leaflets, tried to accuse him of different “offences”: “One of the commission members actually suggested the leaflets contain “unconstitutional activities” because they speak negatively about the contract system. He thought such an attitude “undermines the state system”, -- says Dziamyan Frankowski.

As a result the commission ruled to fine Mr. Frankowski 19 000 BYR (about USD 9) under Art 172 part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offences (violation of the procedure of distribution of printed materials).