Belarusians who took part in protests against the so-called ‘parasite’ law are being tried throughout the country.
At 10:00 Leninski district court started hearing the cases of Halina Lamashevich, Yauhen Braun, V. Huzevich, as well as representatives of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Volha and Syarhei Verameyenka, Anton Voytsehau, Alyaksandr Abukhovich, United Civic Party members Vital Hulyak, Iryna Davidovich, Jerzy Hryhenchy, Mikalai Salyanik, Belarusian People’s Front Vadzim Saranchukou, Belarusian Social Democratic Party member Anatol Myshkevich.
All of them were summoned for their participating in protests against the so-called tax on idlers which took place on 19 February in Hrodna.
Vadzim Saranchukou (L), Syarhei Verameyenka and his wife Volha (C), Anatol Myshkevich (R). Being ready to be jailed for days, they have taken some food and clothes to court
On Monday, Hrodna activists held a press conference and invited representatives of the Polish and Lithuanian embassies to see ‘the Belarusian lawlessness’ in their own eyes at another rally against Decree Nr 3.
Vadzim Saranchukou (L), Syarhei Verameyenka and his wife (C), Anatol Myshkevich (R).Brest
Syarhei Pyatrukhin, the author and host of the project ‘People’s Reporter’, has been sentenced to 15 days in arrest.
Cameraman Dzmitry Harbunou, another participant of ‘People’s Reporter’, will also have to spend 15 days in jail.
Aleh Aksyonau, an activist of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, is being tried for organising a protest action in Mahiliou on February 19.
Uladzimir Shantsau, an activist of the United Civic Party of Belarus, has been summoned to the police.
Decree Nr 3 signed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka in April, 2015 established the obligation of the citizens of Belarus, foreign citizens permanently residing in Belarus, stateless persons, who did not participate in the financing of public spending or participated in such financing less than 183 days (six months – ed.) in the past year, to pay a fee of 20 basic units (appr. $230).
The notorious decree caused a massive public outcry. In February-March, protests were held in a number of Belarusian cities and towns. On March 9, the implementation of the infamous ‘parasite’ law was put on the back burner.
Belsat.eu