Activist arrested for 10 days in Minsk for "picketing by photographing"

Activist of the European Belarus campaign, Leanid Kulakou, has been sentenced to 10 days of administrative arrest. This decision was passed on June 23 in the Minsk rayon court, BelaPAN reports.

Friends of the European Belarus Maxim Vinyarski and Syarhei Matskoit and Leanid Kulakou were detained on the evening of June 19 near the supermarket Hippo at Lahoisk Road. They tried to hang a banner saying "Freedom to Rubtsou" (on May 28, Homiel opposition activist Yury Rubtsou was sentenced to two years in colony, Amnesty International recognized him a prisoner of conscience). For two days the detainees were kept in the detention center. On June 22, Mr Vinyarski and Mr Matskoit were sentenced to 10 and 5 days of administrative arrest respectively. Mr Kulakou was released but ordered to appear in the court hearing on Tuesday.

The court found Leanid Kulakou guilty of "violating the order of organizing and holding mass events". In particular, he was accused of "picketing by photographing."

Incidentally, after the decision was passed, the convicted man was not arrested. Mr Kulakou was told that all his documents were sent to the police department of the Pervomaisky rayon of Minsk, which will carry out the court decision.

Leanid Kulakou is going to appeal the decision of the Minsk rayon court.

Photo: spring96.org