“Election” is over, repressions go on

Regional court of Svetlahorsk has fined three local democratic activists for a sum of 1 million 400 thousand rubles. They are the head of the local regional branch of the Party of Belarusian Communists Svyatlana Mikhalchanka, members of the Belarusian Popular Front Party Viktar Akhramchuk and Syarhei Shavyalenka.

This verdict to the three activists has been passed by judge Iryna Aliseyka, Radio Svaboda informs.

“I do not know how it happens in the capital, but in the regions the system is still aimed at repressions against dissenters. I work as a fitter in Khimvalakno industrial association, I earn 700,000 rubles a month. I have not to eat and not to drink for two month in order to pay this fine,” Viktar Akhramchuk said.

As we have informed, police detained activists in the town in the run-up to the “presidential elections”. All of them were members of the team and election agents of the candidate for deputy Syarhei Dajneka, a representative of the United Democratic Forces. Newspapers “Tovarishch” and bulletins “Choice-2008” and “A breath of fresh air” were seized from them. Besides, policemen held a search I the apartment of Mrs Mikhalchanka.

After the “election” oppositionists were summoned to the local prosecutor’s office, which forwarded administrative protocols to the court. They three are charged with distribution of the bulletins “Choice-2008” which didn’t have imprints, and in insult of honour and dignity of high state officials in the bulletin “A breath of fresh air”.

It is worth mentioning that request of the lawyer and the accused to hold an examination of the contents of the publications was denied by judge Alisejka.

Activists plan to challenge the huge fines in the regional court.