Homel: Human Rights Activist Anatol Paplauny Fined again
On 14 December 2006 in Homel an administrative commission consisting of A.Shyshkou (chairman), U.Zabiiaka, A.Bandarenka, V.Barysau, H.Tamilovich and I.Brokhin fined in absentia a worker of Homel starting motors plant Anatol Paplauny for handing out an independent newspaper Svaboda. The commission found him guilty of violation of part 3 of article 172 of the Administrative Code and fined the maximal sum provided by the article – 155 000 rubles (about 70 US dollars). However, on 24 January 2007 Homel Savetski borough court reversed this ruling due to numerous violations during the sitting and returned the case to the commission.
Today, on 15 February 2007, the commission has considered the case again and gave the same penalty to Mr. Paplauny.
‘I think that this sitting again took place with many violations. First of all, the confiscation protocol was composed by a police inspector much later than it was to have been composed. He also signed it on behalf of witnesses. Secondly, the fact that the newspaper contained information that inflicted harm to the state or public order hasn’t been proved. The commission didn’t take it into account. Its members stated the expertise of the signatures and the content of the edition was beyond their competition. That’s why I am of course going to get this ruling reversed,’ commented Anatol Paplauny to HRC Viasna.
