He was fined BYN 840 for participating in an unsanctioned rally. This decision was passed by the Maladzechna District Court against Aleh Korban, leader of the the “Alternative” youth initiative.
“We have the moral right to hold such rallies. It’s a memory rally. Such actions are sanctioned by our conscience,” says Aleh Korban.
The rally against forced child labor was held by activists on December 2 in connection with the death of a schoolgirl on a potato field in September. Famous human rights activist Valery Shchukin was also to face trial for participating in the rally only because according to the law enforcers, one of the rally activists had a beard.
“The Court should not even have taken up the case. There was not a single witness. You’ve seen Bazhelka and Akhmetov, first lieutenant and captain, who had not seen or known anything, speak,” says Valer Shchukin.
The case against Valer Shchukin was dropped due to the lack of evidence. Meanwhile, Internet users have not forgiven the police abuse over the 74-year-old pensioner, and have created dozens of photo bombs in solidarity.
