Verdict delivered to 35 Bruzhi protesters

They are to pay Br 4 mln to Hrodna riot policemen who had been disbanding them.

It was stated on air of the European Radio for Belarus by one of the participants of the protests, Valery. In addition to 4 million, the protesters were to pay legal expenses, Br 216,000. Only one of the protesters was not sentenced, as he is a disabled person.

As said by Valery, during the trial the judge sided with the prosecutor all the time, and it seemed that the decision had been predetermined.

“It was a biased trial. It could be said that only prosecutors and police were present in the court room. The judge had taken the side of the prosecutor,” said the participant of the rally.

The participants of the protest were promised they would be given the reasoned part of the judgment within 5 days. They can challenge the ruling within 10 days. Valery says that protesters plan to challenge the verdict.

We remind that at the border checkpoint Bruzhi (Bruzgi) a spontaneous protest rally was staged in June. Its participants protested against limitations on the number of allowed foreign trips and on import of goods, introduced by the authorities. The authorities sent riot policemen to disband the rally.