Korban, Siarheyenka and Zhylko punished with arrest

July 4, the Partyzanski District Court of Minsk tried the “Alternative” activists Aleh Korban and Uladzimir Siarheyenka, detained on July 2, and activist of the United Civil Party Anton Zhylko, detained in his apartment in the morning on July 3, were tried and sentenced to arrest.

The peculiarity of the situation is that July 4 was a state holiday, and the courts don't work on such days. That's why the trials were expected to take place today, July 7. Nevertheless, July 4 the activists were tried at the Partyzanski District Court of Minsk by three different judges:

Aleh Korban was tried by Judge Ryta Shahrai, Uladzimir Siarheyeu – by Natallia Dziadkova, and Anton Zhylko – by Volha Paulouskaya. All of them were found guilty of violating Article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences, disorderly conduct, and sentenced to ten days of arrest.

Human rights defenders believe that the detentions and subsequent imprisonment of the civil society activists are connected to the celebration of the official Independence Day of Belarus in Minsk on July 3.