‘European Belarus’ Activist Leanid Kulakou Wins Bet Over Judge

The Minsk City Court refused to recognize Leanid Kulakou a “subsequent offender”.

On June 20, the Minsk City Court considered the appeals of the activists who suffered administrative punishment for the participation in the spring protests in Minsk, according to spring96.org website.

On May 18, the Pershamaiski district court found activist of the "European Belarus" Leanid Kulakou guilty of participating in an unauthorized mass event (Part 3 of Art. 23.34 of the Administrative Code) and punished him with a fine for 50 base fees. The activist decided to appeal this resolution because he believes he has the right to express his views peacefully.

In the Minsk city court, Kulakou was ready to bet with judge Aleh Ziamtsou that he could predict the outcome of the court session, saying that the verdict would be upheld, and the complaint would be left without satisfaction. So it finally turned out.

The court did not take into account Kulakou’s petition to replace the financial penalty with an arrest because he had no money to pay the fine.

"In this case, as I have been repeatedly brought to administrative responsibility for taking part in mass events, - Kulakou stated in court - I am asking to be acknowledged a subsequent offender."

However, the judge just smiled in response.

The complaint of activist of the movement "For Freedom" Aliaksei Kliushnichenka was considered by the Minsk city court on the same day, it was predictably turned down. The activist was also punished for the May Day. Earlier, the court of the Maskouski district court of Minsk resolved to subject Kliushnichenka to administrative responsibility in the form of a fine for 20 base fees.