Pavel Vinahradau sentenced to 5 days of arrest

Pavel Vinahradau, leader of the Zmena youth wing of the civil campaign “Tell the Truth!”, was sentenced today to 5 days of administrative arrest.

The activist stood trial in Minsk Pershamaiski District Court after he was detained and charged under Art. 23.34 of the Administrative Code. On 12 December, Pavel was summoned to the criminal executive inspection of Minsk Maskouski District, the authority that established supervising control over former political prisoner. However, the policemen took him to the police department of Pershamaiski District and charged with illegal picketing. He was then taken to the court building, but had to spend the weekend in jail, after his lawyer was not able to attend the hasty trial.

Pavel’s wife Sviatlana says the conviction is linked to the recent “toy protest” action outside the National Library on 10 December.