Two activists in Minsk sentenced to 15 days’ arrest

On January 21 the court of Leninski district of Minsk sentenced two anarchists, a guy and a girl.

They were charged with insubordination to demands of police. The young men are also suspected of participation in the rally in support of the representatives of anarchist movement detained at the punk concert in Pirates club in Minsk on January 10, who were sentenced to 10 days’ arrest for petty hooliganism, BelaPAN informs.

The young man was arrested near the detention centre in Akrestsin Street, where he and his comrades were waiting for the activists to be released after the arrest. In the same time a girl was arrested in the other part of the city. She was charged with participation in the rally in front of the police department of Leninski district, organized by autonomous groups of anarchists on January 16.

One more activist was detained today in his office. Earlier he had already been detained for a picket against raising taxes. It is possible that he will stand trial today as well.

We remind that on January 10 in the evening riot policemen raided a Minsk club Pirates during a punk concert. They told more than a hundred of people, the listeners and employees of the club to stand their faces to the wall, and put their hands in the air. The police copied the personal data of the audience and musicians from IDs, and videoed some of them. It lasted for an hour and a half, and then law-enforcers left the club. They explained their actions by the alleged information drugs were sold in the club.

Three persons were detained for dissemination of printed materials and petty hooliganism. On anuary 12 in the court of Leninski district a trial was held. Activists were charged with violation of Article 17 Part 1 of the Administrative Code (petty hooliganism). The case papers on violation of Article 17 Part 11 of the Administrative Code (production or keeping extremist materials) were forwarded for reconsideration. Two persons were sentenced to 10 days’ detention, a girl was fined 10 basic units for using foul speech in the club.

On January 16 anarchists staged a series of rallies protesting against the total lawlessness of the police and the KGB at the concert on January 10, and showing solidarity with their arrested friends detained at the concert. Autonomous groups gathered in symbolic spots of the city “to express their indignation over impunity of law-enforcing agencies and judges.” They made pictures in front of the police department of Leninski district, the court of Leninski district and the detention centre with a poster.