Fines for picket near Lithuanian Embassy
On 10 March Maksim Viniarski, Palina Kuryianovich and Palina Dziiakava were detained by police for an unauthorized picket near the Lithuanian Embassy where they unfurled a streamer ‘No to cooperation with Belarusian dictatorship’ in order to protest against the invitation of Aliaksandr Lukashenka to festivities on occasion of the 20th anniversary of Reestablishment of independence of Lithuania.
The detainees spent the night in prison in Akrestsin Street in Minsk. On 11 March they were taken to the Partyzanski district court in Minsk. Activists were charged with violation of Article 33.34 of the Administrative Code (regulations regarding street rallies and pickets), the European Belarus website informs.
Judges Chatsviarkova and Barysionak sentenced the activists to large fines: Palina Kuryianovich – to 1,050,000 rubles, Palina Dziiakava – to 1,325,000, Maksim Viniarski to 700,000.
At the trial, policemen Sheleh and Fedarynchyk stated that they had been called by Habrukovich, officer of the security department of foreign embassies who had warned the action participants about administrative punishment for participation in unauthorized action. At the moment of the detention the activists had already rolled up the streamer and walked 200 minutes away from the embassy.
