Student taken to court from state exam

Marya Tulzhankova, Homel activist of the youth democratic movement, was released on 2 May after 7-day arrest.

The girl was arrested by the decision of judge Aleh Kharoshka from the Navabelitski district court of Homel for participation in the historical tour on 23 March, timed to the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National republic proclamation, BelaPAN reports.

Militia officers drew up administrative reports against participants of the tour on article 23.34 of the Administrative Code. The tour was regarded as “unauthorised rally.” Five people were arrested for 7, 10 and 15 days.

M. Tulzhankova was detained by Navabelitski district militia department on 25 April when she was taking her state examination in the arts college. “I was lucky that they permitted me to continue my exam and then guarded me to court and later to temporary detention facility,” the student told.

According to her, she was to be present at a state examination in the college at 10.00pm on 2 May, but the term of arrest expired in 10.40. “But my teachers were loyal and waited until I left the detention facility. I did well at the examination. About 20 people with flowers met me near the detention facility, then I speeded to the exam,” M. Tulzhankova said.

Participants of the tour Syarhei Tryfanau, arrested for 10 days, and Uladzimir Nyapomnyashchykh, arrested for 15 days, are still in the Homel detention facility.

According to M. Tulzhankova, detention facility officers treated the “political” prisoners well, “only the food was not very good – even our cats have better.”