Mikalai Statkevich gets another 5 days in jail

Opposition politician Mikalai Statkevich has been sentenced to 5 days of administrative detention for his involvement in an illegal rally on September 8 in Minsk.

The decision was announced by the Lieninski District Court. The charges stem from a protest against the Belarusian-Russian military exercises ‘Zapad-2017’. The demonstration also marked the unofficial Day of Belarusian Military Glory.

The demonstrators were not detained. However, opposition leader Uladzimir Niakliayeu and Mahilioŭ activist Stanislau Paulinkovich were later convicted of illegal protesting. Niakliayeu was sentenced to a seven-day detention, while Paulinkovich was fined 460 rubles.

This is Statkevich’s third short jail term since late March, when he was sentenced to 5 days for leading an illegal demonstration amid social protests across the country.

Mikalai Statkevich is currently serving 15 days in jail for the July 3 protest.