Russian rights defender Maria Rymar fined USD 1,100

The Court of Minsk’s Kastryčnicki district has sentenced Russian human rights defender Maria Rymar to a fine of 2,100 rubles on charges of “knowingly false reporting about danger” (Part 1 of Article 340 of the Criminal Code) during an incident that took place in the Minsk airport on July 7 this year.

Rymar says the court ruling to impose a fine that approximately equals to USD 1,100 is unjust.

“Given that fact that there was no crime at all, any decision other than a complete justification should be regarded as unjust. But given the realities of Belarus, as my colleagues suggest, I should be happy,” the activist said after the trial.

Maria Rymar was detained on July 7 while boarding a plane to Moscow. According to her lawyer, Rymar did not like the personal search. “There was a conflict, and she jokingly said, “If you are looking for something, the TNT is in my bag.” That was enough to remove her from the plane, detain and bring the charges.” The activist was held in the detention center in Minsk. She was then transferred to jail No. 1 and later to pre-trial prison in Žodzina. On July 18, Rymar was released on bail.