Former political prisoner Vinahradau arrested for 7 days

Pavel Vinahradau, an activist of Tell the Truth campaign, has been sentenced to 7 days in custody on January 2.

Judge of the Maskouski district court Alyaksandr Kostrykau found former political prisoner Vinahradau guilty of committing an administrative offence over article 17.1 of the Administrative Code of Belarus, BelaPAN news agency reports.

On December 30, Vinahradau was summoned to the Maskouski district police department at 1 pm “for a conversation”. According to him, policemen behaved as if they did not know what they should do with him. After a conversation policemen said they needed to draw up a report, which is usually used during interrogation of a witness or a suspect. Vinahradau stopped answering his phone for some time. The activist then said he was accused of swearing and he may be taken into custody. He spent three days, including the New Year’s Eve, in the special detention centre in Akrestsin Street.

A police officer, summoned to court as a witness, said Vinahradau had sworn near the Maskouski district police department on December 30.

Judge Kostrykau sentenced Vinahradau to 7 days in custody on the base of policeman’s evidence and the police report.

Pavel Vinahradau went on hunger strike protesting against unfair court decision, activist’s wife Svyatlana says.