Navapolatsak: Huge Fines for Attempt to Recall MPs

Yesterday, after four hours of trial, Navapolatsak court made a verdict in the case against civic activists who tried to start a campaign of signature collection for recalling members of parliament.

According to the court decision, for violation of the Election Code Valer Shauchenka was fined 1, 050, 000 BYR, Ihar Sukharukau – 900, 000 BYR, and Anton Yasinovich – 750, 000 BYR. The activists were prosecuted when they gathered 3, 020 signatures of citizens for recalling members of the National Assembly from Navapolatsak after they had voted for cancelling benefits. However, they failed to follow the legal requirements of the Election Code.

During the trial the activists claimed the collected signatures had no legal force and that they only wanted to draw the attention of the authorities to the bad situation of citizens with law-income who had been deprived of benefits. However, the court still found them guilty.