Peaceful protesters convicted in Minsk, trial of observers put off
Observers working during a protest to mark the anniversary of the 1996 referendum in Minsk on 24 November 2015
The Court of Minsk’s Maskoŭski District heard yesterday the administrative cases of opposition activists Uladzimir Niakliayeu, Pavel Seviarynets, Maksim Viniarski, Anton Zhylko, Stanislau Paulinkovich, and Andrei Davidovich. All of them were accused under Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code for taking part in a protest dedicated to the anniversary of the 1996 referendum held on November 24.
The Court also heard similar charges brought against Natallia Satsunkevich and Siarhei Kaspiarovich, observers from the Human Rights Center "Viasna" and the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, who were also accused of being involved in the protest.
Their harassment was condemned by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders.
As a result, the judge ruled to put off the trial, after certain flaws were found in the case file. The same decision was taken in the cases of Maksim Viniarski, Andrei Davidovich and Pavel Seviarynets.
Anton Zhylko received a fine of 3.6 million rubles.
The administrative case of Mikalai Statkevich was not considered as the politician did not appear in court.
Stanislau Paulinkovich was punished by a fine of 4.5 million rubles.
