Mikalai Statkevich fined over illegal picket

The Court of Minsk’s Centraĺny district heard today administrative charges brought against former political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich. He was accused of organizing an unsanctioned mass event, a picket held on September 10 in Minsk.

On the eve of the trial, Mikalai Statkevich told reporters that he was not going to the court:

“I was on my way from the airport when I received a text message saying the court of Centraĺny district invited me to a hearing regarding the charge I faced on September 10,” said Statkevich. “There was no contact phone, nothing. I thought it were hackers. An hour later I received a call on my mobile phone, and I was told the same thing. I told them that I did not know who they were, that I was not going anywhere, the more so because my lawyer is busy this week. In addition, the law regulates the period when one should be invited to the court. I said I was not going, told them to send a summons. They said they had sent it, but I never got it.”

Another participant of the September 11 picket, Uladzimir Niakliayeu, was summoned today to the Centraĺny district police department.

As a result, Mikalai Statkevich was fined 40 basic units (7.2 mln rubles) under Part 2, Art. 23.34 of the Administrative Code (violation of the order of organizing or holding mass events or pickets). The politician was not present at the proceedings, but says he intends to appeal the sentence.