In Zheleznodorozhny district court of Vitebsk continued hearing administrative cases Vitebsk residents who have joined the global campaign to support independent journalism, photographed against the backdrop of the famous graffiti in the city. December 1 the trial of journalist Kastus Mardzvincau and coordinator of the organizing committee for creation of the BCD Tatiana Sevyarynets engaged Judge Elena Tsygankov, and the prosecution played all the same head of the department of law enforcement and prevention of the police department of the Railway District of Vitebsk Major Alexander Rybakov.
The authorities accuse the citizens of violating the order of organizing and holding mass events (Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code).
The first at 11 am considered the case Kastus Mardzvincau. Initially, the judge, referring to a small area of his office, invited to her only defendant in the administrative case of journalists and representatives of law enforcement agencies. Outraged by such behavior the presence of journalists and human rights activists appealed to the chairman of the Railway Court, which ultimately allowed to stay in the office even more present, but most of wanting and never made it to trial.
Vitebsk journalist denied the charges against him and demanded that the business was conducted in the Belarusian language, but the judge denied his request, citing the fact that Mr. Mardzvincau studied Russian in school, so they say, understands Russian. It was also not satisfied with the application for participation in the meeting of the translator. Was not satisfied and the removal of the judge.
Kastus Mardzvincau refuted the arguments of his opponents by convincing the audience that the police did not even have reliable evidence as to the date of the action. Reprinted from the same web photos, which recorded the date of the performance, can easily be changed to any desired. Which was demonstrated to the judge on the computer.
Journalist, referring to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, convincingly argued that even if the action was not carried out performance art or photo shoot, and really picket, still there is no reason to punish participants in a photo shoot for expressing their opinions.
The court, however, did not take into account neither logic nor the letter of the law and made known to the planned solution: a fine of 20 basic units (3,000,000 rubles).
At 12 o'clock, in the large courtroom, began the process of twin over Tatiana Sevyarynets. Ms. Tatiana expressed distrust of the court and all of the local judicial system, but these observations were not heard. She noted that the facts set out in the report have no relation to what actually happened. The accusations are far-fetched, but because she could not accept them. Her appeal to the Constitution as the supreme law of the country, which allows citizens to freely express their beliefs, was again ignored by the judge.
At the end of the meeting Tatiana Sevyarynets were reminded of her past administrative cases three years ago. Apparently, from the point of view of existing here "justice" in Vitebsk respected citizen can be considered almost a recidivist. Apparently, so was Mrs. Tatiana and the highest fine to date - 25 basic units (3,750,000).
Meanwhile, in the premises of the court was delivered Peter Berlinov - an ordinary passerby who accidentally joined the photo shoot. For unknown reasons, Mr. Berlinov arrested November 28 on the street, it drew up a report of the offense and placed in a temporary detention facility, where he stayed until the court on 1 December. At the beginning of the consideration of the administrative case for a photo shoot Peter Berlins announced his right to counsel, and as a result of the court was moved to December 3rd.
