One more “European Belarus” activist in jail on Akrestin Street

Paval Yukhnevich, activist of the “European Belarus” civil campaign, is serving his 7-day arrest in the jail on Akrestin Street in Minsk since today.

The Pershamaiski district court sentenced Paval Yukhnevich in absentia to 7-day of arrest for participation in an official demonstration of trade unions on 1 May. After the court decision was delivered, a district militia officer visited Yukhnevich’s apartment several times. The youth activist decided to come to the Pershamaiski district court on his own will in order he wouldn’t be caught by riot militia in the street, as it happened with “European Belarus” activist Yauhen Afnahel. (The youth leader was arrested for 17 days. Judge Tatsyana Paulyuchuk added 10 day of arrest for allegedly “using of foul language” to 7 days of arrest for participation in the action on May. Traditionally, riot militiamen were witnesses at the trial).

More than 100 activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” came to the National library on 1 May and unfurled dozens of European flags on the official demonstration. 1 May is celebrated as Labour Day in Belarus. Besides, this date is significant both for Europe and Belarus: four years ago ten new states joined the European Union and the EU borders extended to our country.

As soon as EU flags appeared among red-green ones on the official demonstration, riot militiamen run up to oppositionists. They snatched EU flags, broke flagpoles, took away blue cloths with stars.

About 30 people were detained during the official demonstration. Mikola Statkevich, the leader of the Belorussian Social Democratic Party (Narodnaya Hramada), served 15 days of arrest for this action earlier.

“European Belarus” activist Yauhen Afnahel and Young Front leaders Zmitser Dashkevich and Artur Finkevich were sentenced in absentia, too, for participation in the official 1 May demonstration. According to the Code of Administrative Offences, the decision of the Pershamaiski district court contradicts the law and is ineligible.