Fine for slogan “For honest elections without Lukashenka”

Leu Marholin, a deputy head of the United Civil Party, and his election agent Mikhail Vasilyeu have been fined for holding an election picket.

BelaPAN news agency reminds Leu Marholin and Mikhail Vasilyue were detained on August 4 in Barysau (the Minsk region) during a picket to collect signatures to nominate Marholin as a parliamentary candidate.

Policemen found suspicious the slogan “For free election without Lukashneka”. UCP representatives were taken to a police department in Barysau, where police reports over article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences (violation of the order of organizing and holding a mass event or a picket) were made.

The trial was to take place in Barysau on August 6, but it was postponed until August 6 on a motion by Marholin. But policemen visited Marholin on August 7 and handed him a summons for August 8.

“The court sent reports against me and Vasilyue for rework in the morning,” Marholin said. “The trial with new reports began at 3 p.m. According to reports, we carried out an election campaign, though we were not registered as candidates. In this way our slogan 'For free elections without Lukashenka' was interpreted by police.”

Marholin and Vasilyeu were found guilty of violating article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences. Marholin was fined 30 basic unites (3 million rubles) and Vasilyeu received a fine of 20 basic units (2 million rubles).

Leu Marholin says he will not hold pickets to collect signatures. “We don't have enough money to pay for every picket,” he noted.

Marholin does not plan to leave the election campaign. “The party nominated us as parliamentary candidates. We will continue the campaign 'For free elections without Lukashenka'. In any case, we already paid the fine, so there's no sense to stop,” he said.