Union of Poles activists get big fines

(being updated) Picketers, who defended the Polish school, stand trials in Hrodna today.

Hrazhyna Shalkevich, an editor of Glos znad Niemna newspaper, was fined 5 million rubles. The trial was conducted by judge Natallya Kozel, Viasna human rights centre reports.

At least 7 people are expected to appear before the court. Among them are camera operator Yulia Kalyada, activist Eduard Dmukhouski. Names of the rest are unknown. They are accused of violating article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences (violation of the order of organizing or holding a mass event or a picket), BelaPAN news agency reports.

Trial over Eduard Dmukhouski has begun.

The Leninski court of Hrodna sentneced picketer Ihar Bantsar to 13 days in custody on June 1.

As charter97.org website already reported, about 20 people,including journalists, were detained at a picket near the regional executive committee to defend a Polish school. Picketers were concerned about authorities' plans to open Russian groups in Polish-language secondary school No. 36.

About two weeks ago, the Embassy of Poland in Minsk sent a note to the Belarusian authorities reminding about the agreement signed by Belarusian parters that guarantee school No. 36 in Hrodna should remain Polish-language because its construction was funded by the Polish authorities. Many of pupils' parents stand against opening Russian groups in the school. They signed a petition raising concern about an intention of the Belarusian authorities to force out education in Polish.