Paval Vinahradau: “They haven’t intimidated my by their verdict”
- 29.05.2008, 13:48
“It is clear that it is a political process, and an acquittal was impossible. But I hadn’t expected such a tough sentence,” an activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Pavel Vinahradau told in an interview to the “Charter’97” press-center. Yesterday he was sentenced to 2 years of restriction of freedom for participation in protest rallies of market vendors in January.
- Pavel, what is your assessment of this process?
- In the beginning it looked like the process was going on in an absolutely normal way. The judge looked rather impartial, though it was just an impression, as it turned out later. The charges didn’t hold water obviously. Lawyers defended us brilliantly, and later representatives of the City Department Store, “Lakomka” shop and Minsktrans stated that they do not have any claims to us. Even Padbyarozkin (Minsk Traffic police deputy chief), who was testifying against all others, hadn’t identified me. That is why nothing can be further from my mind that the sentence could be like this. It is clear that it is a political process, and an acquittal was impossible. But I hadn’t expected such a tough sentence either. I hoped very much that the judge would restrict to a fine.
- Do you expect that Minsk city court review this verdict and commute the sentence?
- It is unlikely. My personal opinion is that to enter an appeal expecting a fair reviewing of the case is pointless. The only reason for that could be to demonstrate the real “independence” of our courts.
- Will your life change a lot after the verdict will come into force?
- I think yes, greatly. I have read the restrictions. It will look like I am at large, but under a house arrest. Almost everything is forbidden. For instance, it is forbidden to be in the place where “alcohol is sold or drunk”, but it is done everywhere. So it means that I cannot go out at all, I should stay at home and keep a low profile. It will be very problematic to find a job. For instance, I have a provisional job now. Recently I came to seek employment in one organization, and when I told that I am under investigation, I was denied a job, and now I will have a criminal record. Not every person will understand that I am not a criminal, and that politically motivated trials are taking place in our country. In order to leave Minsk, I am to ask for permission from police, and even if I am allowed, I can go in the morning, and come back in the evening at some certain time. And my father lives in another city. It means that I won’t be able to see my father, only when he will come to Minsk. And for three violations I can be sent to a corrective labour facility, or get a real prison term. And I am not speaking about foreign trips. It is possible only illegally and only in one direction, but I am not going to do that.
- So you won’t be able to take part in any protest rallies?
- No, I will take part in them all the same. By their verdict they haven’t intimidated me, I will just be more cautious.
- Pavel, you are not a businessman, so why had you decided to take part in a protest rally of market vendors?
- Firstly, it was a simple human solidarity. And secondly, out of economic reasons. It is understandable that after re-registration of an individual entrepreneur as a private unitary enterprise everything will get more expensive, and our costs are record-breaking even now, especially for imported goods. And thirdly, I believe that Decree 760 is not just deprived of logics, but it is also misanthropic, as it totally eradicates the small business as a class. It is clear that this regime does not need venturesome, and which is even more important, independent people.
14 opposition activists are involved in the case on participation in protest actions of entrepreneurs on January 10. 10 of them have been already convicted. Youth activist Andrei Kim is sentenced to one and a half year in penal colony by the Central district court of Minsk. Other participants of the “Process of Fourteen” – Alyaksei Bondar, Artsyom Dubski, Mikhal Kryvau, Mikhal Pashkevich, Ales Straltsou, Ales Charnyshou, Tatsyana Tishkevich are sentenced to correctional labour without sending them to penitentiary institutions. They must charge the state 20 per cent of their wages. Anton Koipish and Uladzimir Syarheeu are fined of 100 basic units. The judgement was read by Alena Illina.
On May 27 the court of the Tsentralny district of Minsk sentenced Mikhas Subach and Paval Vinahradau, participants of the protest action of entrepreneurs, to two years of restraint of liberty without sending them to penitentiary institutions. One more figure in the trial of 14 minor Maksim Dashuk got 1 ½ years of restraint of liberty. The judgement was given by Valery Yesman.