UCP activist to stand trial for protesting against Russian air base

Mikalai Hladyshau, activist of the United Civil Party, was summoned today to Leninski district police department of Mahiliou to be interrogated and charged with an administrative offence. The activist is accused of violating Article 23.34 of the Code on Administrative Offences, “violation of the order of organizing and holding mass events.”

The police officer told Mikalai Hladyshau that in the near future he would be called to court, and he had to wait for a summons.

On July 4 Mikalai Hladyshau staged a picket against the announced deployment of a Russian air base in Belarus. The activist hung a poster “No to Russian Airbases in the Belarusian Land” on a fence in central Mahiliou. An hour and a half later the activist was detained by the police. The policeman took him to the nearest police station, where he was questioned. After that the activist was released, but told to appear at the police station later.