Brest activist fined for participating in rallies of ‘non-parasites’


A Brest resident who was protesting the so-called ‘parasite’ law faced trial on Monday.

Leninski district court imposed BYN 575 fine on Andrey Sharenda (appr. $300). The activist was preventively detained on March 3 and put into a predetention center.

About 50 persons showed up at the hearing of Sharenda’s case. The people were demanding his release from the courtroom.

Andrey Sharenda took part in rallies against infamous decree Nr 3 which took place in Brest on 19 and 26 February. According to human rights activist Raman Kislyak, the police neutralized the activist and prevented him from participating in another protest action.

Another five people were detained in Brest after yesterday’s march of non-parasites.

Lukashenka vs parasite tax critics (ENG subtitles)

Decree Nr 3 signed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka in April, 2015 established the obligation of the citizens of Belarus, foreign citizens permanently residing in Belarus, stateless persons, who did not participate in the financing of public spending or participated in such financing less than 183 days (six months – ed.) in the past year, to pay a fee of 20 basic units (appr. $230).

In late February, protests were held in a number of Belarusian cities and towns. The most sizable action took place in Homiel where 3,000 – 4,000 persons gathered.

belsat.eu

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