70-year-old human rights activist to appeal against fine for disorderly conduct

• 13.04.2012, 12:36

Activist and human rights defender Valer Shchukin is going to appeal against the decision of the court of Orsha on issuing a fine for disorderly conduct and disobedience to police.

The appeal will be heard in the Vitebsk region court on April 18, Radio Svaboda reports.

On March 30, judge Tatyana Rybakova fined Valer Shchukin 1,190,000 rubles. She found the human rights activist guilty of violating public order in the building of the court of Orsha on March 29. On that day, politicians Anatol Lyabedzkrha, Syarhei Kalyakin and Alyaksandr Atroshchankau were tried behind closed doors in Orsha. Protesting against the closed-door trial, Shchukin sat down and blocked the door to the second floor. Police officers allowed some people to be present at the trial, but detained Valer Shchukin as he was trying to enter the courtroom. Policemen twisted his arms and guarded him to a detention centre.

The human rights activist got two fines the next day – 140, 000 rubles for disorderly conduct and 1,050,000 for disobedience to police officers.

Valer Shchukin wants to prove judge Rybakova violated his rights by forbidding access to a lawyer. The lawyer, who already signed a contract to present him in the court, filed a motion to postpone trial, but the motion was dismissed by the judge. The judge also offered to hire another lawyer and pay for his services. The activist refused to take part in the court proceedings and answer any questions.

He is going to appeal against the court decision, which he finds unlawful.