Young Front activist fined of 50 basic units

The Polatsk city court sentenced youth activist Katsyaryna Salauyova to a fine of 50 basic units – 1,750,000 Belarusian rubles (820 dollars).

The youth activist was accused of activity on behalf of unregistered organisation Young Front. The girl faced up to two years of imprisonment. The prosecutor demanded to punish the activist with a fine of 200 basic units – 7 million rubles. The judgement was read by judge E. Marozava.

Today, just in the courtroom, Katsyaryna Salauyova was summoned for questioning on 9 April. He is to come to the city militia department of Polatsk at 5.00pm.

As youth activist Paval Sevyarynets (who is in the town now) said, there was no information in the summons concerning a case and a girl’s status at the questioning.

“One can only guess. We shouldn’t forget that another criminal case was instituted against Salauyova – on the article 370 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (desecration of state symbols). It was initiated in regard of the events on 30 October 2007, when unknown people removed a flag from the building of Polatsk prosecutor’s office, tore it and tied to the office door. The case is suspended now,” Sevyarynets said.

Young Front activist Alyaksei Yanusheuski was detained today during the action of solidarity with Salauyova, which was held near the court. He is in the militia department now. According to preliminary information, the young man is accused of violation the article 23.34 of the Administrative Code (violation of order of organisation and holding of mass event and picketing).