Human rights activist from Vitsebsk sentenced to 15 days in prison


The decision to arrest him was passed in his absence on April 17, at the Kastrychnitski District Court of Vitsebsk. Judge Ina Hrabouskaya accused Levinau of violating the law on mass protests on March 25 and 26 (Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code).

Pavel Levinau said he attended the street protests but as an observer and reporter.

“After I was detained, I turned to the regional police office: I asked how it was possible? And I was told that the observer’s activities do not constitute grounds for termination of the proceedings against me. The decision of the judge was neither affected by the indignant responses of international human rights organizations nor the involvment of Vitsebsk residents, who collected 75 signatures to stop the proceedings against me,” said the human rights activist.

After the detention on March 26, Pavel was admitted to hospital with a hypertensive crisis. Now he continues treatment in Kyiv.

In a written statement Levinau asked the judge not to review the case in his absence. But the judge disagreed. The Court made a request to the Pavel’s polyclinic at the place of residence, which said that he was not being treated in local institutions. This was enough for the judge to hear the case in absentia.

The court found PavelLevinau guilty only for being present in crowded places.

belsat.eu BAJ

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