Minsk city court dismissed the appeal of Anatol Lyabedzka, the leader of the United Civic Party of Belarus, against Tsentralny district court.
On April 5, judge Viktoryia Shabunya imposed BYN 1,150 fine on the politician for ‘participation in an unsanctioned rally’ in Kurapaty near Minsk.
Anatol Lyabedzka arrived at Kurapaty on February 24 when he learned that activist Syarhei Palcheuski handcuffed himself to a truck. He states there was no unsanctioned rally.
“I was present in Kurapaty on February, 24. But what violation did I commit? There is not a single proof holding an unauthorized action and my proactive participation,” the opposition politician said in court on Thursday.
Kurapaty, a place on the outskirts of Minsk, is not just the national memorial and a mass grave of the victims of Stalinist repression, it is a site of historical and cultural heritage.
In late February, the Belarusian activists began a long-term action in defense of the memorial protesting against the construction of an office building started a few dozen meters from Kurapaty. According to them, it is fraudulent as the building permission was granted when the area was considered a protected zone.
belsat.eu
