BCD activist fined 20 penalty units

Siarhei Verameenka, a BCD activist from Hrodna, was fined 20 penalty units for alleged printing leaflets about political prisoners.

Charter97.org learnt it from a member of the organising committee to found the Belarusian Christian Democracy party.

“I received a fine of 20 penalty units under article 22.9, part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offences (illegal production and distribution of media outlets) allegedly for making leaflets. According to the expert examination, the leaflets contained some technical errors: no information about circulation and periodicity. Though even policemen said they didn't have proofs that I had made the leaflets, I was issued a fine of 20 penalty units,” the activist says.

Siarhei Verameenka doesn't plan to appeal against the court decision so far.

“I am not going to appeal against the decision of the court. But I think I will have to. Maybe it has sense. The first thing I want is to receive a copy of the decision and read it,” Verameenka said.

It should be reminded that the opposition activist was detained on March 12. He was heading to the party's office carrying a bag of leaflets. He was stopped by two plainclothes men, who  introduced themselves as policemen.

Verameenka was detained before the eyes of his party fellows. He had leaflets supporting political prisoners in his bag. BCD members were going to distribute them as part of the campaign “Write a letter to a political prisoner”.