Opposition politician $600 fined for showing Belarus’ historical flag near Minsk prison
White-red-white flag near detention center in Minsk
A court in Minsk has imposed a heavy fine on Pavel Sevyarynets, a leader of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party.
“Today in Maskouski district court, I have been BYN 1,150 fined for showing a white-red-white flag near the detention center in Akrestsina street. Such lawlessness is enough to make a cat laugh. But I am at liberty at least! Thank for your prayers!” the politician said on Facebook.
Sevyarynets was tried alleged violation of the order of organizing or holding mass events. The Belarusian authorities considered a meeting of the activistsreleased from the prison in Akrestsin street in Minsk on April 30 as a political event.
On 19 September 1991, the white-red-white flag and emblem Pahonya (Pursuit) were officially recognized state symbols of the Republic of Belarus. Such resolution was passed by the Supreme Soviet of the 12th convocation after the collapse of the Soviet Union. But after the 1995 referendum, they were replaced by those reminiscent of Soviet symbolism. The white-red-white flag has been often associated with the opposition to the regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
In late March, Pavel was found guilty of participating in the rally near Kurapaty, a Stalin-era mass grave near Minsk. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail.
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belsat.eu, photo by Dzyanis Sadouski
