Activist Fined For Leaflets On “Elections” Falsifications

Minsk court has find Aliaksandr Mendzel for $420.

Activist of the movement “For Freedom” Aliaksandr Mendzel was detained disseminating leaflets on falsifications at the electoral district where Yury Hubareviuch ran, and was fined for Bn 840, which is 40 base fees or $420 in the equivalent. The court found him guilty of breaking the law on the media, the human rights center “Viasna” writes.

Aliaksandr Mendzel said at the court session that 1640 leaflets had been seized from him. The activist admitted the very fact of giving out leaflets, but pleaded innocent. “I don’t believe my actions fall under the law on the media,” – he underlined.

The activist’s lawyer paid attention that no periodical signs were printed on the leaflets. Moreover, there is no media called “Let’s Defend Our Choice”. “As a leaflet cannot be considered a media outlet, I am asking herewith to terminate the case due to the lack of an offence,” – the lawyer underlined.

However, the court did not consider these arguments. Mendzel was punished for breaking Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code (violation of the legislation on media) in the form of a fine for 40 base fees.

After the sentence was announced, Yury Hubarevich gave out several dozen leaflets in the court and outside as a protest against the court’s decision.