Human rights defender Anatol Paplauny sentenced to 10 days in jail

Anatol Paplauny, Viasna's representative in Homieĺ, has been sentenced today to 10 days of administrative arrest on charges of involvement in a protest on February 19. Human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka has received an administrative warning for the same offense.

The sentences were pronounced against the backdrop of dozens other trials held today across Belarus, including in Minsk, which convicted participants in a series of protests over the past few weeks.

Several people were either fined or jailed in Minsk, including opposition activists Leanid Kulakou, Volha Nikalaichyk and former political prisoner Pavel Vinahradau. The later was fined 1,150 rubles despite his failure to appear in court.

Meanwhile, more people have been detained ahead of new protests anticipated in the coming week. In particular, trade union activit Aliaksandr Bulauka was detained in Orša, and Andrei Marach was detained in Brest.