Participants of October 10-11 street demonstrations in Minsk are summoned to police

More people have been formally charged with administrative offenses in connection with their involvement in a post-election protest held on October 11 in central Minsk.

Police officers have brought charges against European Belarus activists Leanid Kulakou, Maryia Kasyian, Mikalai Kolas, Aliaksandr Rybachenka, as well as opposition activist Volha Nikalaichyk, philosopher Uladzimir Matskevich, and businessman Aliaksandr Makaeu.

All of them have been invited to local departments of the Interior to be accused of an administrative offense under Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code, “violation of the order of organizing and holding mass events”. As a result, they face a fine of up to 5.4 mln rubles, or administrative arrest for up to 15 days.

As HRC “Viasna” informs, earlier summonses were received by other protesters: Artur Zhuk, Vital Rymasheuski, Adam Hlobus, and others. Administrative charges were also brought against Yury Urs and Yauhen Amelkau, activists who staged a performance during the October 11 protest.

The head of the United Civic Party Anatoly Liabedzka and the former presidential candidate at 2010 election Uladzimir Niakliaeu were also subpoenaed to militia in connection to their participation in the rally.

Apart from the civic and political activists, independent observers also fall under persecution. According to Belsat, not long after the presidential election-2015 several independent observers, including three activists of the movement ‘For Freedom’ in Slutsk, Maladzechna, and Barysau, have been summoned to police. The three cases are developing under one and the same scenario: the observer recorded a violation, reported it to the prosecutor’s office, the prosecutor’s office transferred reports to the police, the police sent the case to a local police officer – and the latter initiated a search of the complainants. It may be retaliation for reporting election violations, activists say.