Cassation complaint of Ales Abramovich dismissed

On 20 July the Barysau district court considered the cassation complaint of a civil activist Ales Abramovich against the verdict of the Barusau District Court by which he had been found guilty of violating Article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences, ‘Violation of the order of organizing or holding mass events or picket).

On 28 May 2010 Ales Abramovich applied to the Barysau District Executive Committee with the request to authorize a mass action against the construction of a nuclear-power plant on 14 June. The action took place even though it wasn’t authorized by the DEC. According to its participants, it was a spontaneous action. Abramovich’s role as the organizer was reduced to the minimum, as many people were indignant at the state plans to build the NPP near a residential community. In addition, the dwellers of the suburb of Liadzishcha that is located near the building site staged a number of protest actions before this one.

However, the Barysau District Court found Mr. Abramovichy guilty and fined him 875,000 rubles (about $290). Predictably enough, the cassation appeal against the verdict was dismissed by the higher court.