The case against 78-year-old Nina Baginskaya was opened under the article on «repeated violation of the order of organizing or holding mass events», reported the human rights center «Vyasna». The reason for the criminal prosecution was Baginskaya's walks through the streets of the Belarusian capital with white-red-white badges on her clothing and national symbols in her hands. All episodes relate to the year 2024.
The article was enacted in 2022. It provides for criminal liability, with «repeated» generally understood as three or more episodes of being held administratively liable for similar actions within a year. At the same time, courts often consider even solo pickets or appearing on the street with national symbols as «mass events», especially if there is video footage or witnesses.
Last year, Baginskaya was held administratively liable three times under the article on unauthorized picketing. Now she faces criminal punishment — up to three years of imprisonment.
Nina Baginskaya — a figure who has become a symbol of Belarusian resistance. She has been participating in protest actions since the late 1980s and consistently takes to the streets with the national flag, despite pressure from the authorities. After the 2020 elections, she was regularly subjected to detentions, searches, and fines.
According to human rights activists, 1193 people have been recognized as political prisoners in Belarus.
Photo: Vyasna