Smaliavichy: Court Justifies Activists Accused of 'Dirty Swearing'

On 7 August in in the central square of Smaliavichy (a town in Minsk region) the action 'Where's The Light?' was held. The matter is that about three months ago the town authorities have turned off the street lamps in order to save the electricity. About 60 persons took part in the action, including both democratic activists and ordinary citizens.

In order to attract public attention to this issue the action participants composed 'Where's The Light?' of lit candles. The youth did not hurry to leave the place of the action after its end. That's why the police detained one of the participants, Aliaksandr Syrychko, and composed a violation report against him. Traditionally, he was accused of 'dirty swearing' (petty hooliganism). In the morning of 8 August the detainee was tried by Smaliavichy district court. The judge took into consideration the testimonies of the defense and justified the defendant.