Activist in Slonim fined over anti-alcohol posters

On June 18, the administrative commission of the Slonim district executive committee fined local opposition activist Ivan Bedka 180,000 rubles for pasting anti-alcohol posters at public transport stops.

In the spring, Ivan Bedka joined a public campaign entitled “Protect Our Children From Alcoholism” and pasted several posters “Their Future Is In Your Hands” and “Be An Example For Your Children”.

According to Hazieta Slonimskaja’s website, local authorities viewed these actions as a violation of Part 2, Art. 21.14 of the Code of Administrative Violations. The decision of the administrative commission stressed that “I. Bedka violated para. 17 of the rules for improvement and maintenance of settlements, approved by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus on 28.11. 2012”.