Baranavichy entrepreneur fined for organizing strike

The Court of the district and the city of Baranavichy considered yesterday the administrative charges brought against local civil society activist and entrepreneur Mikhalai Charnavus for alleged violating Part 3, Art. 23.34 (organizing and holding an unauthorized mass event) during the rallies staged by local entrepreneurs on 27 June and 1 July.

In accordance with the decision of the court, on July 29, 2013 Mikhalai Charnavus’s case was sent back to the police station to correct the flaws. It was only after the correction of errors that on 26 August Judge Siarhei Danilchyk considered the activist’s case.

Head of the department of ideology, culture and youth affairs of Baranavichy City Executive Committee Tatsiana Chylik argued that it was Mikhalai Charnavus who organized unauthorized protests of entrepreneurs on June 27 and July 1. The same opinion was expressed by the manager of Baranavichy Cooperative Market Vital Rakhmedzhanau.

Mikhalai Charnavus pleaded not guilty to organizing the entrepreneurs’ strikes. He argued that on June 27 and July 1 there were spontaneous rallies of entrepreneurs, who do not believe that the state is able to protect a small business under the new rules of the Customs Union.

The Court found the activist guilty of organizing unsanctioned protests of entrepreneurs, and recognized him an active participant in the rallies and sentenced him to an administrative fine of 21 basic units (2,100,000 rubles).

Photo: Mikhalai Charnavus talking to police Major Pavel Kulhavik during a strike of Baranavichy entrepreneurs on July 1