On October 28, the Central Rayon Court of Minsk fined the chairman of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka 9 million rubles (50 basic units).
The reason was the politician's participation in the "National Flag Rally", held in Minsk on 10 October. Lyabedzka was found guilty of repeated violation of the order of organization or holding street events. He was fined 50 basic units - it is the maximum fine under this article.
The decision about the penalty was passed by Judge Viktoryia Shabunia who is on the EU ban list for taking part in numerous trials against the opposition.
Lyabedzka said that during the trial the prosecution part was inconsistent. "During the rally, no protocols were filed. The police Major, who was summoned here, also said that he did file anything, he put the reports of witnesses. But these reports only showed my presence in the area, even though the protocol was supposed to show that I organized the rally along the avenue. That means, there were discrepancies already in the protocol, but the judge disregarded them," said Lyabedzka in the comment to BelaPAN.
Incidentally, on October 9, Lyabedzka was also fined 9 million rubles for organizing a rally against the Russian airbase. It was held on October 4 at the Freedom Square in the format of the national assembly.
