On 6 May, a Minsk court passed a verdict in the criminal case of Yauhen Rapin. The Human Rights Center “Viasna” reports that he was found guilty of “active participation in group activities that grossly violate public order” and sentenced to three years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional facility.
The accused fully admitted his guilt and repented but asked to give him a chance to reform in freedom. As a result, Yauhen Rapin remains free until the verdict comes into force. The case was considered by judge Maksim Tarasevich, who sentenced Yauhen to exactly what the prosecutor Tamara Zubko asked for.
According to the indictment, during the “unauthorized action of protest” on October 4, Rapin, “in the state of alcohol intoxication to express his political views, joined a group of citizens, publicly shouted slogans, made loud handclaps, repeatedly refused to meet the demands of law-enforcers, deliberately obstructed the movement of transport.” He also struck two blows on the outside surveillance camera of the detention center in Akrestsina. However, the camera was not damaged.
Later “Minsktrans” will separately consider the civil suit. It demands compensation for material damage from Rapin for the protest march.
Yauhen Rapin worked at Zhdanovichy market as a loader. He is married, father of three small children, the youngest of which was born in April.
