October district court of Vitebsk September 19 convicted Eugene Gutsalava of violating the order of organizing and holding mass events (Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code) and sentenced him to seven days' imprisonment.

According to the "Dialogue" Vitebsk activist Peter Ivanou, who was present at the meeting, Eugene Gutsalav court recognized that actually took part in an unsanctioned picket, but so wanted to express their views.

When Judge Ina Grabovskaya asked why he held a picket "under another guise" , Eugene replied that in his view, it was in this situation, the most appropriate way. And clarify that in no case was intended to offend anyone.

By the way, as evidence of police submitted to the court photographs of picketing. On some of them visible tattoo on his right arm picket at which supposedly was identified BCD activist.

Gutsalav said during the hearing only one application - to participate in the process to make a lawyer (Michael Zamalin). The petition was granted.

Authorities will be easier if the observer is sitting in a prison cell, not at the polling station

Article 23.34 provides for a penalty of a fine (up to 40 basic units), but the judge Grabovskaya, taking into account that the accused was not working so far, decided to punish activist arrested for 7 days. Eugene Gutsalav was already fined the same Grabowska 2.4 million for distributing leaflets calling for a boycott of parliamentary elections in Belarus.

"But even Gutsalav observer at the polling station where the first day of early voting revealed some violations. It can not be the judge Grabovskaya not know about it. Authorities will be easier if the observer is sitting in a prison cell, and not on the site " - says Peter Ivanou.