Charges against Dmitrii Bondarenko have been changed

The charges against the coordinator of the civil campaign "European Belarus", Dmitrii Bondarenko, have been changed.

Olga Bondarenko, the wife of the political prisoner, informed charter97.org about this, referring to a lawyer. Bondarenko is charged with “organisation and preparation of activities that breach public order, or active participation in them” (Article 342, Part 1).

We remind you that Dmitrii Bondarenko was arrested on the morning of 20 December, 2010 after a brutal crackdown on the peaceful protests against the falsified results of the presidential elections. Initially he was charged with “organisation of mass disorders”. Since December 20, Dmitrii has been in a KGB jail.

For reference:

Article 342. Organisation and preparation of activities that breach public order, or active participation in them.

1. Organisation of group activities that breach public order and associated with a clear defiance of the legal demands of government representatives; or causing disruption of transport, enterprises, institutions or organizations, or participation in such activities, in the absence of indications of a more serious crime –

shall be punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to six months, or restraint of liberty for a term not exceeding three years, or imprisonment for the same period.

2. Training or other preparation of people to take part in group actions which breach public order, as well as as financial or other material support of such action, in the absence of indications of a more serious crime –

punishable by imprisonment for up to six months or deprivation of liberty for up to two years.