Criminal Case Against Singer Meriem Herasimenka Opened

She was detained in August in Minsk for performing a song by the Okean Elzy music band.

A criminal case was opened against Belarusian singer Meriem Herasimenka, who was detained for performing a song by the Okean Elzy music band.

According to the Viasna Human Rights Center, a criminal case has been initiated against the singer under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (“Organization or preparation of actions that violate public order”).

She was detained in early August after performing songs by the Ukrainian band Okean Elzy at a street concert, which angered the Lukashists and became the reason for the detention. Later, Meriem received 30 days of arrest.

Now Meryem is in pre-trial detention center No 1 on Valadarski Street.

On September 30, it became known that the owner of the Banki-Butylki bar, Andrei Zhuk, where Meriem performed, has not yet been freed, although his administrative arrest was supposed to end no later than September 5. Also, it is reported that his wife Marya was detained.