Minsk court fines student over protest

Pavel Siarhei, an activist who was involved in a protest staged by the students of the Belarusian State University on December 2, has been fined 4.5 mln on charges of illegal demonstrating (Part 1, Art. 23.34 of the Administrative Code).

The trial opened yesterday, but was put off till this morning.

Judge Tatsiana Matyl did not allow reporters to take photos. Then the judge stopped the defense lawyer who wanted the court to examine additional evidence, after she considered it insignificant.

The defendant himself was not allowed to see the case file. As a result, he pleaded not guilty. The defense lawyer stressed certain violations in the police report, which was prepared in absentia, and a violation of summons procedures.

Earlier, police officers brought similar charges against Yauhen Amialkou and Hleb Vaikul, who were also involved in the protest. The demonstrators asked to cancel an earlier decision to charges fees for retaking exams at the country’s leading university.

Some students of the BSU's Faculty of Philology, including Hleb Vaikul, have also been asked to provide explanations for their involvement in the protest.