National Bolshevik activists fined over protests against military conscription

The Court of Minsk’s Tsentralny district resumed hearing the charges brought against activists of the National Bolshevik movement, Yauhen Kontush and Dzmitry Paliyenka, under Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code (violation of the order of organizing and holding mass events). On August 8, the Court sent their administrative cases back for revision.

As a result, Judge Yakunchykhin ruled to punish Dzmitry Paliyenka with a fine of 12 basic units (1.2 mln rubles). Judge Shabunia sentenced Yauhen Kontush to fine of 1.2 mln rubles.

In the morning of August 8, in the various districts of Minsk police detained Belarusian National Bolsheviks, who were protesting against the "draft-slavery", including Yauhen Kontush, Ales Hulevich, Ales Paliakou and Dzmitry Paliyenka. Ales Paliakou was later released because he is a minor.

On the same day The Court of Minsk’s Tsentralny district fined Ales Hulevich 1 mln rubles, founding him guilty of violating Article 23.34 of the CAO.

The activists were convicted for a protest staged on August 6, when a banner "Down with the Army of Slaves!" was put up on a fence outside the Ministry of Defense. The activists also scattered leaflets explaining the negative aspects of the formation of the army on the forced basis and an advantage of the voluntary army for the country’s defense and the economy.