Former political prisoner Viachaslau Kasinerau faces new criminal charges

Former political prisoner Viachaslau Kasinerau has been charged under Part 1 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism). The case was initiated by the Investigative Committee.

The activist is currently serving 15 days of arrest for participation in a protest on February 17 in Minsk.

The police officers claimed that on March 12 Kasinerau, assisted by members of an anarchist group called Black Rose, staged a bold action “against police lawlessness.” The activists threw a noose around the neck of a recently erected monument to a policeman near the central office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Earlier it was reported that Kasinerau was warned that he might be prosecuted for the action.

If convicted, Viachaslau Kasinerau faces imprisonment for up to three years, or arrest for up to six months.