Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

Fine of Br2.5m for solidarity with Byalyatski

RFE/RL

Syarhei Malashenak, an activist of the organising committee to create BCD party, was found guilty of holding an unsanctioned picket for solidarity with Byalyatski by the city court of Navapolatsk.

Judge Zoya Balabolava issued a fine of 25 penalty units to Syarhei Malashenak, Radio Svaboda reports.

Photos of the man on the Internet were interpreted as a proof of his guilt. The photos show Syarhei Malashenak and activist Yauhen Parchynski standing at the entrance to the Navapolatsk city court and holding portraits of Ales Byalyatski. Syarhei Malashenak also has a picture of him taken near the local police station.

Yauhen Parchynski was fined 5 penalty units on January 24. Syarhei Malashenak received a bigger fine, because it is his second trial for unsanctioned pickets: he was fined 300,000 rubles (3 penalty units) on October 8, 2012, for an attempt to hang our a banner "Freedom for political prisoners".