BCD coordinator keeps appealing obscenity verdict

Zmitser Shurkhai, Brest regional coordinator of the Belarusian Christian Democracy’s organizing committee, has lodged a complaint with the regional court against an earlier verdict by Brest Maskouski District Court of 28 June.

The activist was charged with using foul language and sentenced to 7 days of administrative arrest. Having served the term, Mr. Shurkhai appealed the sentence at Brest Regional Court, which ruled to review the case. As a result, the activist was acquitted in early September. However, the verdict was appealed by chief of local police department Ihar Zhyhalau. Following another consideration by the district court, Zmitser Shurkhai was once again found guilty.

According to Zmitser Shurkhai, fighting for acquittal of obscenity is a principal for him as a righteous believer, who claims to never use strong language. “The charges humiliate my dignity; I am ready to go through all the bodies, including international ones, but I will never agree to the lies they have brought against me,” says the BCD coordinator.