Navapolatsk resident sentenced to 11 years in jail for endangering pro-government rally

Polatsk district court found Ruslan Slutski guilty of “attempted disrepair of railroads” and “an act of terrorism,” reports the HRC “Viasna.”

Judge Andrei Dzerhachou supported the motion of public prosecutor Tatsyana Shabeka and sentenced the 38-year-old resident of Navapolatsk, craftsman Ruslan Slutski to 11 years in the reinforced regime colony for scattering spikes along the road, “deliberately acting out of political hatred” before the vehicles of pro-government rally passed there.

According to the prosecution, the man had caused damage to at least four cars. The total amount of damage was 63 rubles 51 kopecks. Among the victims were Ryhor Azaronak and others, 70 people in all.

The victims said that the cars moving first in the convoy of the rally hit the spikes and reduced speed and then stopped the movement of vehicles, parking them on the roadside. The first two cars belonged to the local, regional media; another car belonged to one of the leaders of the public organization, “Patriots of Belarus.” The victims didn’t claim moral compensation.

Ruslan Slutski partially admitted his guilt.

belsat.eu