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Opposition activist Uladzimir Kumets gets 20 days in jail

A judge of the Leninski District Court in Minsk on Monday sentenced opposition activist Uladzimir Kumets to 20 days in jail.

Judge Mikhail Khoma found Mr. Kumets, who was arrested on May 10, guilty of disorderly conduct and disobedience to police officers. "There was a quick trial, there wasn't even a recess," said the Vyasna human rights center.

Mr. Kumets, a member of an online community that organized “silent” anti-Lukashenka protests in the summer of 2011, was driving when his car was cut off by another vehicle and athletic men in plain clothes ran out of it and toward his car. The activist tried to run away but was grabbed by the men.

Some 30 people have already been jailed as part of the government’s apparent drive to isolate opposition activists who could stage street protests during the May 9-25 world hockey championship. //BelaPAN