Andrei Sharenda: Authorities Panic About Any Opposition Rally

The consideration of a European Belarus activist’s administrative case postponed due to the absence of witnesses in Brest.

Activist of the European Belarus civil campaign Andrei Sharenda was to be judged in the court of Leninski district of Brest for "organizing and participating in mass events", which the local police had incriminated him for the rally dedicated to the small cross-border movement, where he was distributing leaflets and balloons, Radio Racyja reports.

– A new protocol was drawn up against me, with a new police witness included, who had allegedly seen us. This witness gave the explanation that he had not seen anything, had not heard anything, except the fact that someone was handing out balloons – that was all. I was actually surprised, why he had been included, if this person had not seen anything, and he did not appear in the court. Apparently, he did not want to come, because he had nothing to say. And the police have nothing to say, because I have already found a violation in that protocol, it wasn’t properly drawn up, – the activist said.

The case is considered by the judge of the Leninski district court Aleh Myraniuk. The hearing will be held on December 6 at 14 o'clock.

– They judged not for the rally, they judge a particular person. I am an opposition activist, and my participation in any event is regarded as a political act, – Andrei Sharenda said.