Minsk court convicts activists over banner “Freedom for Yury Rubtsou!”

The Minsk District Court heard today the administrative charges brought against activists of the European Belarus opposition movement Maksim Viniarski, Leanid Kulakou and Siarhei Matskoits.

They were detained on Friday for hanging a banner “Freedom for Yury Rubtsou!” on the outskirts of Minsk and charged with an administrative offense.

Over the weekend, the three activists were held in a temporary detention facility.

As it became known, Siarhei Matskoits was accused of violating the order of organizing or holding mass events (Part 1, Art. 23.34 of the Administrative Code) and sentenced to 5 days of administrative arrest.

Maksim Viniarski faced the same charges, but of an offense committed repeatedly within a year. Judge Harelau has punished him with arrest for 10 days.

The hearing of charges against Leanid Kulakou was put off till tomorrow in order to wait for police witnesses to testify at the trial.