Court puts heavy sanctions on veteran activist

August 19, BPN. A court has imposed sanctions on 75-year-old activist Nina Bahinskaja for not paying a fine.

The Viasna Human Rights Center reports that she is prohibited from hunting, driving cars and small boats. Telecom operators are not allowed to provide her with internet, television and mobile communication services.

In April, Bahinskaja was fined 1,600 rubels (some $630 at the current exchange rate) for an unauthorized Freedom Day protest in the center of Minsk.

In October 2020, Alaksandr Łukašenka ordered not to detain Bahinskaja, as he considers her a person with beliefs: if she is “removed from the squares,” he said, “there will be no opposition and the scenery will vanish.” Nevertheless, Bahinskaja was detained and her apartment was searched, but she has not been in jail.

Bahinskaja has been active in the opposition movement since 1980s.