Democratic activists fined for white-red-white flags

Judge of Kastrychnitski district Edgar Martirosyan fined Vitsebsk activists Taras Surhan and Syarhei Kavalenka 20 basic units each.

Oppositionists were fined for marching along Vitsebsk street with white-red-white flags on November 2. Activists were charged with holding an unsanctioned rally, Radio Svaboda informs.

Syarhei Kavalenka and Taras Surhan were taken to the court from the remand prison where they had been kept the whole night.

Oppositionists state that they went to the centre of Vitebsk in order to attract attention of citizens to Dzyady, the day of remembrance of ancestors.

“It was a rally in the centre of the city on Dyzady, for as many people as possible to learn about Dzyady. We went across Freedom Square, cars honked to us, passers-by followed us to make pictures. People liked that,” Syarhei Kavalenka said.

Police detained participants of the rally when they came near the city hall, and returned on the other side of the street. A policeman who went out of the car stated that oppositionists hindered passers-by to move. A report was drawn up under Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code. Oppositionists were charged with violation of the order of holding mass events.

Fines for rallies with national flags have become a usual practice in Vitsebsk courts.