Belarusians who took part in protests against the so-called ‘parasite’ law are being tried throughout the country.
Hrodna
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.
- Vital Hulyak has been BYN 690 fined, Iryna Davidovich has been BYN 345 fined
- Fines have been imposed on Halina Lamashevich, Volha Verameyenka, Anton Voytsehau, Yauhen Braun and Mikalai Salyanik
- Vadzim Saranchukou, a father of three children, has been sentenced to 13 days in custody, Syarhei Verameyenka – to 15.
- Heavy fines (25 basic units) have been imposed on Anatol Myshkevich and Alyaksandr Abukhovich
- Jerzy Hryhenchy will spend 13 days in prison
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.
Brest
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.
Маhiliou
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.
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