Former political prisoner Kolchenko, who participated in rally near the Embassy of Belarus, was sentenced to community work

On August 11, Shevchenkivskyi district court of Kyiv city judged the former Ukrinian political prisoner Oleksander Kolchenko guilty in petty hooliganism and sentenced him to 40 hours of community work, media outlet “Graty” reports.

Kolchenko was detained on August 10 in Kyiv near the Embassy of Belarus art tghe action in support of the opposition of Belarus, when there was a clash between police and rally participants. 

Against Kolchenko and two other activists, the police filed reports on petty hooliganism and gross insubordination to the police officers (articles 173 and 185 of the Code on Administrative Offences). On August 11, the case was already in the court. The journalist were not admitted to the session without explaining the reasons. Also, the witnesses that the attorney wanted to invite were not admitted.

The judgment can be appealed against within 10 days, and Kolchenko intends to do so.