Picks of the week
On July 16, the Centraĺny District Court of Minsk fined LGBTQ activist Vika Biran 367.5 rubles (USD 185) for staging a protest against homophobic statements by Interior Minister Ihar Shunevich.
- Vika Biran in court. Photo: Nick Antipov
“It was absolutely important for me to speak back. So I decided to pose for a photo and post it on Facebook,” Vika said.
The activist is expected to stand two more trials on similar charges. The first hearing is scheduled for July 23.
Yury Miatselski, a volunteer working with the Human Rights Center “Viasna” who was illegally detained for three days on New Year ’s Eve, will not receive any compensation after Minsk’s Maskoŭski District Court rejected his claim on July 18.
- Yury Miatselski. Photo: belsat.eu
During the trial, the authorities argued that the activist was not eligible for any reward despite the fact that the charges of using foul language in a public place against him were finally dropped.
Barys Anikeyeu, one of a dozen activists picketing the controversial restaurant Poedem, Poedim (“Let's Go And Eat”), was fined on four different counts during one day, gomelspring.org said on July 19.
- Barys Anikeyeu. Photo: belapan.by
The charges included traffic violations and illegal picketing.
The activist says that he and other people have not been picketing the entertainment facility for possible violations of the law, but for the suspension of the activity and the closure of the illegal construction next to the Kurapaty memorial.
The standoff has been underway since early June and already resulted in over 150 charges brought against both the protesters and the visitors. Dozens were arrested and served short prison terms. Several journalists were also detained.
Meanwhile, the property’s owner Leanid Zaides said on July 20 that “closing the restaurant is out of the question.”
