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Opposition activists jailed following demonstration in support of imprisoned Dashkevich

Opposition activists who were arrested during Tuesday's demonstration in support of imprisoned Malady Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich in Horki, Mahilyow region, were sentenced to jail terms on August 3.

The activists stood trial in Horki and the town of Drybin, said Hleb Labadzenka, husband of arrested activist Tatsyana Shaputska. Mikalay Dzemidzenka was jailed for 17 days and Yawhen Skrabets for 10 days.

Ivan Shyla and Dzmitry Shurkhay asked to be provided with defense lawyers and their trials were postponed until Thursday. Two more of the arrested people, Maksim Syamyonaw and Alyaksandr Vyalitchanka, were sentenced to a fine and jail, respectively. No other details were immediately available.

Around 15 opposition activists were arrested in Horki where they gathered to display support for Mr. Dashkevich, who is serving a prison term in a local correctional institution.

Among them was Anastasiya Palazhanka, Mr. Dashkevich's fiancee and deputy chair of Malady Front.

The activists traveled to Horki to demand that the administration of the prison allow Mr. Dashkevich to meet with his lawyer. They formed a line in front of the prison and unfurled a banner that said, "Stop Persecution!" Shortly afterward police officers ran out of the institution and took away the banner. Some 15 activists were grabbed and bundled into a police bus and taken to the Horki district police department. //BelaPAN