Film director Volha Nikalaichyk sentenced to 13 days in custody for Night Wolves' make-up bag

Another participant of the picket, Katsiaryna Sadouskaya, was fined 60 basic amounts.

The activists, who had gave the Russian embassy staff a make-up bag with a lip stick for the Night Wolves on April 29, were tried in Minsk's Tsentralny district court. Judge Mikhail Khoma, known for his sentences to opposition activists, gave Volha Nikalaivhyk 13 days in custody. Another participant of the picket, Katsiaryna Sadouskaya who has class III disability, was issued a fine of 60 basic amounts.

Police officer Paplauski, who was on duty at the Russian embassy on that day, was a witness at the trial. His evidence contained a lot of contradictions. Two police reports were made. According to the first one, there was an unsanctioned “picket” near the embassy. According to the second one, the activists resisted the police and swore. The witness didn't confirmed the facts of resistance at the trial. Nevertheless, the judge gave Volha Nikalaichyk 6 days in custody for disorderly conduct (article 17.1) and 7 days for resisting the police (article 23.4 of the Code of Administrative Offences). The activist has 5 days to appeal against the verdict. She may be taken into custody at any moment.

Volha Mikalaichyk spoke to charter97.org. “I am shocked by the brutality, cynicism and illegality. The whole case was trumped up. They didn't even try to give it a veneer of legality. The sentence was pronounced on the ground of false evidence. We filed a motion, asking to attach a CCTV footage to the case to prove that I hadn't sworn, resisted or fallen to the ground, as the witness claimed. But the judge dismissed the motion. By the way, the witness was born in Ukraine, the Chernihiv region. He mentioned it in his second report. It was seen that the was ashamed. He was as red as a beetroot. Nevertheless, I was sentenced to 13 days. Firstly, I expected such an outcome. Secondly, they won't stop me. Thirdly, time will come and these people will answer for everything they are now doing. They ruin their own future, not mine,” the activist said.