Punishment for the symbol of freedom. Belarus sued the senior for wearing a historic flag

The authorities of Belarus initiated criminal proceedings against 78-year-old activist Nina Bahińska for walking in Minsk with a pin with a historic flag in the colors of white-and-white in 2024-“Wiasna” Human Rights Defense Center said on Tuesday.

Soon the Bahińska trial, the legend of Belarusian protests, before the District Court in Minsk. Criminal proceedings are conducted on the basis of art. 342-2 of the Penal Code, which speaks of repeated violation of the principles of organizing or conducting mass assemblies. This is the seventh case from this article, which went to court since its introduction to the Penal Code in 2021 – said “Wiasna”.

In 2024, Bahińska, which has been going on demonstrations with the historical Belarusian flag for decades, was attracted to “illegal picket” three times and sentenced to high fines.

The white-and-white flag is a historical symbol of the independence of Belarus, used in 1918 and during changes in 1991 symbolizes freedom and resistance to the regime, which is why it is fought by the Belarusian regime, which uses a red-green flag with a folk ornament, introduced by Alaksander Łukaszenka in 1995.

“Wiasna” reminds that Nina Bahińska was repeatedly detained, detained at the police station in the handcuffs, punished with fine. In addition, officers preventively detained her at home on state holidays, such as the Freedom Day, May 9, etc. The activist usually did not appear at court hearings. As a result, criminal proceedings were initiated against her.

In Belarus, pursuant to art. Only six people have been convicted of 342-2. This article was introduced to the Code in 2021 as a reaction of the regime to the protest activity of society.

Retirement Nina Bahińska is a geologist by profession, supported various initiatives for human rights and maintaining historical memory in Belarus, and the authorities directed her to psychiatric research several times. (PAP)

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