The members of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Uladzimir Labkovich and Tatsiana Reviaka were sentenced to a fine of 30 basic units per person (3,000,000 rubles).

On 5 August police detained human rights activists Uladzimir Labkovich and Tatsiana Reviaka and took them to the Savetski District Police Department. The detainees were given charges under Art. 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Violations (violation of the order of organizing and holding mass events). Their mobile phones were taken away.

However, the violation reports contained some defects, as a result of which the judge sent them back for revision.

In his interview with the European Radio for Belarus Uladzimir Labkovich mentioned the mistake the police made in the reports:

“They did not specify what provision of the Law “On Mass Events” we have broken. Article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Violations refers to another law, that’s why the Administrative Procedure Code requires the indication of what specific legal norm has been violated.”

Judge Paulyuchenka fined Mr. Labkovich 3 million rubles, finding him guilty of a violation of part 1 of Article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Violations. He characterized Labkovich’s actions as picketing by means of handing out postcards, which is an expression of the civil position. Tatsiana Reviaka was fined 3 million rubles by judge Marina Fiedarava