Anatol Lyabedzka Sentenced to 10 Days of Arrest for Protest near Russian Embassy

The leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka has been sentenced to 10 days of arrest by the court of Tsentralny district of Minsk. The politician was detained on July 16 near the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Minsk. On that day more than a hundred Belarusians gathered near the Embassy to demand bringing up the Belarusian issue at the G8 summit that was held in St. Petersburg, and to urge Russia stop supporting the Belarusian dictatorship.

40 persons were detained altogether. Not having legal grounds for detention of Anatol Lyabedzka, policemen drew up a report against the politician for violation of the Article 156 of Administrative Code (petty hooliganism). Riot policemen who detained the politician (Vasil Harasiuk and Yury Yankovich) were witnesses in the process.

The verdict was passed by judge Alyaksei Bychko.

At the moment another trial starts in the court of Tsentralny district. Opposition activist Yauhen Askerka, detained yesterday near the Embassy of Russia, is to stand trial.
Source: www.charter97.org