Homel court turns down appeal by social network user
On 16 September, Homel Regional Court dismissed an appeal lodged by Mazyr driver Mikhas Karatkevich against a fine of BYR 105,000 he was sentenced to for alleged posting appeals for participating in a “silent protest” on his page at Vkontakte social network service, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
Judge Vasil Biahun recommended Mr. Karatkevich to write in a notebook, instead of the Internet, which is considered a mass medium.
Mikhas Karatkevich is going to continue appealing the fine at the Supreme Court.
Mr. Karatkevich, as well as human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun, who attended the court hearing, believe the sentence is based on “assumptions and speculations” only. According to them, the case has no evidence or witnesses, as well as no indication to the intended recipient of the message posted online.
The verdict also fails to specify in what manner the Mass Events Act was violated, if it a “mass event” at all, since it was not registered by the police.
“I am sure the special services are tracking Internet content. And as far as Mikhas’ web-page did have information on the scheduled “silent protest”, it was him who was considered its organizer”, says Mr. Tseliapun.
Apart from the fine, Mikhas Karatkevich faced dismissal, after his employment contract was terminated by the administration of Mazyr Mechanical Engineering Plant, where he had been employed as a loader driver.
