Nasta Azarka: "I didn't expect this ruling"

The European Radio for Belarus has phoned Nasta Azarka, a youth activist who was today sentenced by a court in Niasvizh to a fine of Br1,200,000 ($600). She was found guilty of taking part in an unregistered organization.  "I was waiting for anything but did not think the verdict would be like this," she said.

The prosecutor asked for a fine of Br15,500,000.

Nasta Azarka said around 70 fellow activists came to support her during the trial. Around 50 activists were inside the courthouse.

Pavel Seviarynets, a co-chairman of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, also came to Niasvizh from Brest where he had spent 15 days of administrative arrest on trumped-up charges.