Alena Semenchukova, sentenced to 10 days of arrest, declares hunger-strike
Alena Semenchokova. Photo: svaboda.org
On 5 July Judge of the
Chyhunachny District Court of Vitsebsk Ina Hrabouskaya sentenced Alena to ten
days of arrest under Article 23.34, “violation of the order of organizing and
holding mass events”.
Alena Semenchukova was detained with her brother on 29 June, during a picket in
support of Siarhei Kavalenka. The girl was charged under Article 23.32 of the Code
of Administrative Offences, whereas the under-aged brother didn’t receive any. The
court verdict surprised even the policemen who detained Alena. The activist
declared a hunger-strike of protest.
The Belarusian Christian Democracy Party issued a statement to condemn the
sentence. According to it, 34 leaflets with calls to boycott the parliamentary
election were found in her back during the detention. By the way, Alena has
been expelled from the Vitsebsk
University in connection
with her civil activities. The arrest will also prevent her from entering one
of the European universities, as she will have to serve her arrest instead of
having an interview at the time.
