Fine for honest elections without Lukashenka
Leu Marholin, a deputy head of the United
Civil Party, and his election agent Mikhail Vasiliieu have been fined for holding
an election picket.
BelaPAN news agency reminds Leu Marholin
and Mikhail Vasiliieu were detained
on 4 August in Barysau (the Minsk region) during a picket to collect signatures
to nominate Marholin as a parliamentary candidate.
Policemen found suspicious the slogan “For honest elections without
Lukashneka”. UCP representatives were taken to a police department in Barysau,
where police reports over article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offenses
(violation of the order of organizing and holding a mass event or a picket)
were made.
The trial was to take place in Barysau on 6 August, but it was postponed until
6 August on a motion by Marholin. But policemen visited Marholin on 7 August
and handed him a summons for 8 August.
“The court sent reports against me and
Vasiliieu for rework in the morning,” Marholin said. “The trial with new
reports began at 3 p.m. According to reports, we carried out an election
campaign, though we were not registered as candidates. In this way our slogan
'For honest elections without Lukashenka' was interpreted by police.”
Marholin and Vasiliieu were found guilty of violating article 23.34 of the Code
of Administrative Offenses. Marholin was fined 3 million rubles (about $360)
and Vasiliieu – 2 million rubles (about $240).
Leu Marholin says he will not hold pickets to collect signatures. “We don't
have enough money to pay for every picket,” he noted.
Marholin does not plan to leave the election campaign. “The party nominated us
as parliamentary candidates. We will continue the campaign 'For honest
elections without Lukashenka'. In any case, we have already paid the fine, so
there's no sense to stop,” he said.
