Maksim Viniarski sentenced to 15 days in custody

A coordinator of the civil campaign European Belarus was taken into custody for solidarity with Ukraine.

Maksim Viniarski, the coordinator of European Belarus, held a picket near the embassy of Russia in Belarus on March 5. He appeared in front of the embassy building with a placard “Occupants, get out of Ukraine!” at 16:00, Viasna human rights centre reports.

A police officer, who guarded the embassy, came to Vinaiarski and tried to seize the placard. He also ordered Maksim to show his documents. He called a riot police squad. The activist was detained at 16:40 and taken to Minsk's Tsentralny district police department. He was charged with violating article 23.24 of the Code of Administrative Offences (organising or participating in unsanctioned mass events).

Viktoria Shabunia, a judge of the Tsentralny district court, sentenced the activist to 15 days in custody. Lieutenant Siameshkin and the embassy's security officer Yury Pazniak gave their evidence against the activist.