Charges against Nyaklyaeu, Fyaduta, Dzmitryeu and Palazhanka qualified as less severe

The new charges prescribe restraint of liberty or deprivation of liberty for up to 3 years.

Charges against Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, Alyaksandr Fyaduta, Syarhei Vaznyak, Andrei Dzmitryeu, Vital Rymasheuski and Anastasiya Palazhanka, who has been charged with organizing mass riots previously, have been substituted for the ones which carry considerably lighter punishment, Interfax-Zapad was informed by the Information and PR department of the Interior Affairs Ministry of Belarus.

“The pre-trial investigation department of the Main Directorate of the Internal Affairs of Minsk City Executive Committee has filed new charges against Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, Alyaksandr Fyaduta, Syarhei Vaznyak, Andrei Dzmitryeu, Vital Rymasheuski and Anastasiya Palazhanka under Article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (“Organization and preparation of activities, that breach public order, and active participation in them”), informed the Belarusian Interior Ministry.

In accordance with the Criminal Code of Belarus, this violation provides for the punishment of a fine, or custody for up to 6 months, or restraint of liberty for up to 3 years, or deprivation of liberty for the same term.

The charges of organizing mass riots, which had been filed earlier to persons involved in this case, carried a punishment of up to 15 years of imprisonment.