Babruisk organizer of People’s Assembly appeals arrest

Mrs. Halina Smirnova, Babruisk activist of the United Civil Party, has lodged a complaint against a 5-day arrest for alleged violation of mass events regulations during the organization of the People’s Assembly on 8 October.

Mrs. Smirnova urges Mahiliou Regional Court to reverse the administrative verdict, referring to the compliance with the provisions of the Code on National and Local Assemblies during the conduct of the event.

“Apart from that, we notified the executive authorities of our intention to hold the People’s Assembly. However, the police prevented people from gathering at the scheduled location. As for me, I was charged with organizing an unauthorized event and later sentenced to five days of administrative arrest”, says the activist.

Trials of organizers of People’s Assembly across the country were generally politically motivated, says Mahiliou human rights defender Barys Bukhel.

“Unlike Mahiliou, where the police allowed holding the People’s Assembly, Babruisk police prevented its organizers from holding the event. The arguments showing that the organizers of Babruisk People’s Assembly acted in accordance with the Code on National and Local Assemblies did not impact the Judge’s decision. The evidence presented in court was of no significance at all. I believe that the authorities once again showed their actual face and were not too soft on representatives of pro-democratic parties”, says Mr. Bukhel.