Vitsebsk regional court upholds verdict to local pro-dem activists

Judge Iryna Smaliakova of Vitsebsk Regional Court has upheld the verdict to local Belarusian Christian Democracy member Tatsiana Seviarynets and independent trade union activist Iryna Yaskevich for involvement in the organization of the People’s Assembly on 8 October.

During the court session, Mrs. Seviarynets tried to impeach the judge. However, Mrs. Smaliakova said there were no reasons for her removal.

Iryna Yaskevich said the decision was ready before the consideration of the appeal, as the judge ignored all the arguments by the activists – she simply read out the judgment without even taking a break to consider the verdict.

Tatsiana Seviarynets and Iryna Yaskevich were found guilty of staging an unauthorized mass event and fined BYR 875,000 and BYR 770,000, respectively, on 6 December.