Authorities under Lukashenko's leadership have initiated a criminal investigation against a 78-year-old female protester, known as a symbol of the 2020 demonstrations.
In a chilling turn of events in Belarus, esteemed activist Nina Baginskaya, 78, finds herself ensnared in a criminal case. The catalyst? Wearing a white-red-white badge on her clothing and displaying national symbols in the streets of Minsk, actions that defy the strict regulations governing public events.
This legal showdown is slated to unfold in the Pershamaiski District Court of Minsk, marking the seventh case of its kind since the relevant article was added to the Criminal Code.
Baginskaya's recent troubles stem from a pattern of administrative charges. Three times in 2024, she was penalized under Article 24.23 (unauthorized picketing), accumulating a total fine of 7,200 rubles (around $180 USD). To add to her woes, five more charges were filed against her.
The feisty activist has endured detainment, handcuffing, and fines. She also faced home confinement on significant dates such as Freedom Day and May 9. Remarkably, Baginskaya consistently refused to participate in her scheduled trials.
Such relentless persecution led to the initiation of a criminal case against Baginskaya. In the authoritarian landscape of Belarus, only six individuals have previously been convicted under Article 342-2 of the Criminal Code, enacted in 2021 to counter societal protest activity.
The criteria for a criminal case under Article 342-2, as it pertains to Baginskaya, necessitate being administratively punished twice within a year for offenses under Article 24.23 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses, and subsequently violating the order of organization or conduct of mass events within a year of the second administrative punishment.
During the criminal case investigation, Baginskaya was subjected to multiple psychiatric evaluations.
Nina Baginskaya, a geologist by trade, has long supported human rights initiatives and sought to preserve historical memory in Belarus. Her activism dates back to 1988, escalating to become one of the leading symbols of resistance against the contentious results of the 2020 presidential elections in Belarus.
In-Depth Insights:
- Age and Background: Nina Baginskaya, 78, is a seasoned activist with a professional background in geology.
- Charges: The charges against Baginskaya stem from her public display of opposition symbols, primarily the white-red-white badge.
- Context: The white-red-white emblem is commonly associated with opposition movements in Belarus, and its display can lead to legal consequences under Belarus's strict laws governing dissent.
- Current Status: The specifics of Baginskaya's criminal case trial, including the start date and potential penalties, remain undisclosed in the available information.
- Broader Context: Belarus has a history of cracking down on dissent and oppositional activities, including mass events and public expressions of opposition, which this case seems to reflect.
- The upcoming court case for Nina Baginskaya, a 78-year-old geologist and activist, will take place in the Pershamaiski District Court of Minsk, a sevenfold occurrence since relevant article was added to the Criminal Code.
- The legal troubles for Baginskaya began in 2024, when she was fined three times under Article 24.23 for unauthorized picketing, accumulating a total fine of 7,200 rubles, equivalent to roughly $180 USD.
- The persistent charges against Baginskaya have led to a criminal case under Article 342-2 of the Criminal Code, enacted in 2021 to counter societal protest activity, making her one of only seven individuals to face such charges in Belarus.
- Baginskaya, a long-term supporter of human rights and historical preservation initiatives in Belarus, has consistently refused to participate in her scheduled trials, despite facing detainment, handcuffing, fines, and home confinement on significant dates.
- During the course of the criminal case investigation, Baginskaya was subjected to multiple psychiatric evaluations, highlighting the intensity of the repercussions she faces for her activism against the contentious results of the 2020 presidential elections in Belarus.
