Activist in Baranavičy fined for wearing prison clothes at work

The Baranavičy City Court completed yesterday the trial of local opposition activist Ryhor Hryk, who was charges with two administrative offenses.

As a result, Deputy Chairman of the Court Vasil Petryu ruled to fine the activist 5.4 mln rubles, finding him guilty of disorderly conduct in his workplace, the MART INN store, under Art. 17.1 of the Administrative Code, as well as of organizing an unsanctioned mass gathering under Art. 23.34.

The court has held five hearings in the case, the last of which heard two police witnesses. One of them said that while he was in the store, between 9.11 and 9.45 a.m., Ryhor Hryk did not use foul language. However, the police report said that the activist was swearing at 9.30. While at the preliminary hearing it was decided to screen video footage from the store, the judge said yesterday that the video recording was lost, even though on October 27 the store’s manager said in court that such a record did exist.

The other police officer testified in the case of the rally held on September 27.

Immediately after the defendant’s lawyer Siarhei Tsiabus said that Ryhor Hryk was not guilty and requested to close both cases, Judge Vasil Petryu read the decision, without even leaving the courtroom for preparations.