Arrests and fines: Belarusians persecuted over protesting against integration with Russia
On December 27, a number of participants in December’s anti-integration protests are being tried in Belarus, the human rights centre Viasna reports.
Stas Shashok, a former parliamentary candidate, Ales Chakholski, secretary of the Christian Conservative Party, and blogger Syarhei Tsikhanouski got 15-day jail terms.
Activist Leanid Kulakou was tried over taking part in two protest rallies; he has been sentenced to 10 days under arrest and heavily fined.
Minsk courts imposed fines of 765 rubles on Yury Hubarevich, Chairman of the Movement for Freedom, activists Halina Lahatskaya, Andrey Rohau and Pyotr Markelau.
Dzyanis Yurkevich, Dzyanis Krasachka and Antos Zhylko got fines of 637.5 rubles each; a penalty of 1,275 rubles was slapped on Maya Navumava.
Writers Uladzimir Arlou and Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu, priest Viktar Kavalkou, blogger Dzmitry Kazlou, former diplomat Pyotr Sadouski, activists Andrey Kudzik, Natallya Ladutko, Hanna Shaputska, Barys Anikeyeu, Barys Dubrouski, Alyaksei Syudak, Valer Ryabtseu will stand trial on December, 30.
Intending to draw protocols for taking part in protests, the police have also summoned Valeryia Bychkouskaya, Yauhen Batura, Ihar Barysau, Alana Gebremaryiam, Tatsyana Sevyarynets, Pavel Lyakhnovich, Nasta Huseva, Dziyana Seradzyuk, Svyatlana Kavalenka, Tatsyana Kebikava.
Over the past month, four anti-integration rallies have taken place in Minsk. On December 20, about 1,600 persons took part in the protests.
