Homel activist fined for Dziady procession

Homel's Navabelitski district court found activist Uladzimir Shytsikau guilty of organising an unsanctioned rally on Dziady, the day of commemoration of the dead.

A group of democratic activists from Homel laid a wreath to the cross on the site where victims of Stalin's repressions had been executed. A procession under the national white-red-white flag on Homel's outskirts lasted only for two minutes. Judge Tatsiana Shauchenka issued a fine of 20 penalty units to Shytsikau, Viasna human rights centre reports.

The activist doesn't agree with the court decision. He wants to appeal against it, because he thinks his righst to peaceful assembly and expression were violated.

Uladzimir Shytsinakau didn't know about the charges against him. He wasn't summoned to a police department. He received a copy of the police report by mail.

On November 13, judge Siarhei Novikau delivered a court decision against a deputy head of the United Civil Party, Vasily Paliakou, for the same Dziady procession. The politician was found guilty of violating article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences (violating the rules of holding mass events) and fined 4.55 million rubles, or 35 penalty units.