Homel: court turns down Niapomniashchykh's appeal

On 5 June Homel Region Court considered the appeal of a member of the United Civil Party and Movement "For Freedom!", police pensioner Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh against a verdict of the Tsentralny District Court of Homel.

The oppositionist appealed the verdict of the Tsentralny District Court, which turned down his appeal against the unlawful arrest in a temporary isolator. He head been detained on 7 October 2011, on the eve of the People's Assembly, and put in the isolation ward without getting any charges. On 10 October he was taken to court, found guilty under Article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, "violation of the rules of holding and organizing mass events" and sentenced to a fine.

Later he found about the existence of another report, according to which he was accused of using obscene language in public (Article 17.1). However, the case concerning these charges was dropped, as they were disproved by testimonies of police officers at the trial on 10 October (they stated they hadn't heard Niapomniashchykh swearing).

"As a result of the unlawful action I received an additional penalty – factual administrative arrest for three days, though there was no need to deprive me of liberty at the time of the detention," stated Mr. Niapomniashchykh in his lawsuit.