Minsk courts fine more peaceful protesters

The Centraĺny District Court of Minsk heard yesterday 16 administrative cases against the participants of a picket staged near the Russian embassy in support of Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko on March 21, as well as those involved in the Freedom Day demonstration on March 25.

According to human rights defenders, they were accused of illegal picketing under Art. 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences.

As a result, Mikalai Kazlou, Zmitser Dashkevich, Pavel Seviarynets, Aliaksandr Mekh, Maksim Viniarski and Leanid Kulakou were fined 10.5 mln rubles each.

Anton Zhylko was fined 4.2 mln rubles.

The cases of UCP leader Anatol Liabezka, Viachaslau Siuchyk and Viktar Hutouski will be considered later.

On April 6, Minsk’s Maskoŭski Court sentenced Anatol Shumchanka to a fine of 3,150,000 rubles on charges of participating in a rally entrepreneurs staged outside the building of the Ministry of Taxes on March 14.

Pavel Seviarynets was fined 9.45 mln on the same charges.