Baranavichy activists gets fined for “participation” in canceled public event
Katsiaryna Hruda, Judge of the
Baranavichy City and District Court, fined the head of the
Baranavichy organization of the Belarusian Language Society, activist
of the “For Freedom” movement Viktar Syrytsa 2 million rubles.
The activist was charged under Article 23.34 of the Code of
Administrative Violations of the Republic of Belarus, “violation of
the rules of organizing and holding mass events”, for an attempt to
hold an action dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Milavidy
Battle, in which Kalinouski's insurgents fought against the troops of
the Russian Empire.
The judge hastily left the
courtroom after the announcement of the ruling, accompanied by the
shouts “Shame!”.
Katsiaryna Hruda ignored tthe words of
police major Kuliashou that the event didn't take place as it was
cancelled by the city authorities without notifying the press.
Nevertheless, the judge declared Syrytsa an organizer of an
unauthorized event.
Mr. Syrytsa says that there should have
been neither the shameful charges, which were rewritten twice to fit
the punishment, not the trial. He also considers it a provocation by
the police and authorities that feast was cancelled, whereas the
people weren't warned. Even when people arrived and waited 30 minutes
for the event, neither the police nor the head of the ideological
department of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee Varvashenia
came up to warn that it wouldn't take place.
