The Court of Baranavichy fined last evening local human rights defender Siarhei Housha 1.5 mln. roubles after Judge Vasil Petryu found the observer guilty of "using vulgar words in public" while talking to chair of constituency election commission No. 5 Mrs. Tatsiana Latyshava back on 23 July.

From the outset, the Judge ordered three human rights defenders, activists of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Valiantsin Stefanovich, Uladzimir Labkovich and Pavel Sapelka to leave the courtroom.

The Court heard to four witnesses, members of the election commission. Some of them said Siarhei Housha used foul language, others failed to confirm the claims. The Judge also ordered to listen to a tape recorded by the observer during his conversation with the election official. However, the Judge ruled to convict Mr. Housha for alleged “disorderly conduct”.