Activists detained for stickers against death penalty

Volunteers, who handed out stickers and posters of the campaign “Human rights activists against death penalty  in Belarus”, were detained in Mahilou on October 8.

Campaign activist Uladzimir Chumakou says two young men were detained by police and taken to the Leninski district police department in Mahilou at 5:20 p.m. after a telephone call from “vigilant” citizens. After a five-hour inquiry policemen drew up administrative reports over part 2 of article 21.14 of the Code of Administrative Offences (Violation of the rules of urban development) and a report on seizure of information materials, Viasna human rights centre reports.

Barys Bukhel, a human rights defender from Mahilou, says the young activists are likely to be fined, because they were not taken into custody until trial. This administrative offence can be punished with a maximum fine of 25 basic units, or 2.5 million rubles.