Belarusian Activist Gets Additional 10 Days For ‘Vulgar Words’

MINSK – A Belarusian opposition activist, who was expected to be released on May 31 after serving a 15-day prison term, has been sentenced to 10 more days in jail for "saying vulgar words" to police. 

Ivan Amelchanka was originally sentenced on May 17 for alleged hooliganism during an opposition demonstration in Minsk.

In the incident, which occurred in April, Amelchanka was photographed holding a sign that included the word "Musorok" -- a Russian slang word that can be translated as "fuzz" or "pig" -- while standing next to a plainclothes security officer who was using a handheld camera to film the protest.

The offending placard also had an arrow pointing in the direction of the officer.