Young opposition activist Anastasiya Azarka sentenced to $580 fine on charge of acting on behalf of unregistered organization
A judge of the district court in Nyasvizh, Minsk region, on September 4 sentenced young opposition activist Anastasiya Azarka to a fine of 1,240,000 rubels ($580).
The 18-year-old girl resident in Nyasvizh was found guilty of acting on behalf of an unregistered organization called Malady Front (Young Front) under the Criminal Code's Article 193-1.
Belarusian human rights defenders and international human rights organizations have condemned this article and repeatedly urged the Belarusian government to abolish it. The article was added to the Code in December 2005 as part of amendments that provided for harsh punishment "for activities directed against people and public security."
Conviction under Article 193-1 carries penalties a fine or a prison term of up to two years.
The public prosecutor suggested fining Ms. Azarka 15,500,000 ($7,260).
In August 2006, four independent election observers affiliated with an unregistered group called Partnyorstva (Partnership) were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
On November 1, 2006, Zmitser Dashkevich, a Malady Front leader, was sentenced to 18 months in a minimum-security correctional institution under this article.
Five other Malady Front activists were convicted of acting on behalf of an unregistered organization in May 2007. Dzmitry (Zmitser) Fedaruk was fined 1,240,000 rubels (about $580). Aleh Korban, Barys Haretski and Alyaksey Yanushewski were each fined 930,000 rubels ($435). Anastasiya Palazhanka, 17, got away with an official warning.
Malady Front activists have made several unsuccessful attempts to legalize their organization, which has been in existence for more than a decade. All their applications for registration have been rejected by the justice ministry.
