300-dollar fine for demand to release political prisoners

• 26.06.2009, 11:30

On June 24, the administration of the Frunzenski district of Minsk heard a report in relation to Maksim Serhiets, an activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus”.

The oppositionist was fined 858 Belarusian rubles (more than 300 dollars) for a banner “Freedom to Political Prisoners!”, website f-fight.org reports.

It should be reminded that Maksim Serhiets was detained on May 28, 2009 when he was hanging out a banner “Freedom to Political Prisoners!” in Pritytski Street.

He and another activist of the “European Belarus” were detained by a militia patrol. The guys were guarded to the Frunzenski militia department and fingerprinted. Administrative reports for “violation of city development” were drawn up against them. Besides, the militiamen confiscated the banner. The young people were set free after three hours.