Pavel Sevyarynets gets 15 days of arrest

Pavel Sevyarynets today was sentenced to 15 days of arrest. The opposition activist stood trial in Minsk's Central District Court for taking part in two unauthorized rallies - on May Day in Minsk and on March 3 in Kurapaty, a site in the suburbs of Minsk in memory of the victims of Stalin regime's repressions. The verdict was pronounced by Judge Viktoria Shabunya. This spring, Sevyarynets spent weeks behind bars serving his administrative arrest terms in Orsha and Minsk.

Another opposition activist Maksim Vinyarski from the European Belarus movement also received a 15-day arrest sentence for taking part in the unauthorized street rally on May 1 in Minsk. The ruling was made by Judge Mikhail Khoma. Vnyarski went on a hunger strike in protest.

Radio Svaboda reports that Sevyarynets saw a list of 10 people who are likely to stand trial om the same charges. The list includes the names of Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, Nina Bahinskaya, Yuras Hubarevich, Maryna Adamovich, Vyachaslau Siuchyk, Slavamir Adamovich, Leanid Kulakou, Aliaksei Klyushnichenka, Alena Talstaya.