Activists Fined For Picketing District Executive Committee In Lida

The court estimated the Dzitva pollution picket as ten basic units.

On June 20th, the Lida court fined activists Vitold Ashurak and Siarhei Pantus 255 rubles (10 basic units) each, the Human Rights Center Viasna reports.

They came to the district executive committee with a poster "Dead Dzitva" to draw attention to the problem of pollution of the river.

Ashurak and Pantus noticed the problem on the river on June 12. The local authorities stated that the problems in the Dzitva River flowing into the Nioman River are related to the heat. The activists found a pipe from which waste is dumped into the water.

On June 17th, the activists came to the building of the district executive committee with the banner "Dead Dzitva" and on June 19th they both received summons demanding to appear before the district inspector Pavel Kashko. There, a check-up of the case materials was carried out and protocols were drawn up, and the activists were immediately taken to court.

"In total, the trial lasted about half an hour, and most of the time was spent on reading the report," - Siarhei Pantus said.

According to him, there were no witnesses in court, they were identified by the results of examination of video surveillance footage from the building of the district executive committee. Based on the results of the examination, the judge decided to fine the activists 10 basic units each (255 rubles) for violation of the order of holding a mass event (Part 1, Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code).

"We were on a picket, which I said during the trial to draw attention to the problem and move the case from the dead point," - Siarhei Pantus said. He considers the trial a formality.

"The system is engaged in self-preservation, - Vitold Ashurak added. - There was an incident, and they are trying to get away scot-free. Of course, we won't be made responsible for the disaster, but they show us who wears the pants."

According to Siarhei Pantus, the discharge into Dzitva continued yesterday, but according to local residents, the stench from it has decreased and the water has become lighter.