Aleh Vouchak Makes Lawsuit For Outraged Belarusians March Dismissed

The court dismissed the case against the human rights activist for participating in the protest on February 17.

Minsk City Court for the third time canceled the decision of the Frunzensky District Court of Minsk, which recognized the human rights defender Aleh Vouchak guilty of taking part in the March of the Outraged Belarusians March on February 17, Radio Svaboda reports.

Basing on the results of the first two court hearings of the Frunzensky District Court on February 21 and May 2, Vouchak was sentenced to 12 days in prison, and the third hearing which was held on July 4, he was fined 585 rubles. Moreover, the decision on the fine was made in absentia, as the human rights defender became ill during the trial.

In any case, the human rights activist appealed against the decision of the Frunzenski district court in the Minsk city court. Vouchak’s third complaint was considered on August 1. The human rights activist received the decision by mail on August 8.

"The court not only overturned the Frunzenski district court’s decision, but also decided to close the case, – Vouchak says. – Truth be told, they closed the case not due to rehabilitative grounds, but because of the insignificance of my participation in the peaceful assembly. The court took such a cunning decision – the case was closed, but I remained guilty. But my family can breathe freely, because I will not pay a fine. But my case showed the public that administrative practice needs serious reform. Thousands of people are illegally brought to administrative responsibility."