On September 4, 2020, I came to Brest with friends. Walking through the city, I passed by the Molodezhnaya Hotel. The national flag of the Republic of Belarus was hanging on the building. Passing by, I yanked the low hanging flag by the cloth, which caused the flag shaft to break and the flag to fall down. The administration of the hotel went to court and filed a claim for 58 rubles. In court, the claim was rejected, as the hotel did not provide any documents for the flag. In addition, the flag was not damaged. The Investigative Committee saw abuse of state symbols in my actions and brought a criminal case under Article 370 of the Criminal Code. On November 17, the court sentenced me to 1 year of restriction of freedom and sent me to an open-type correctional facility. In other words, the maximum punishment under this article was imposed, though I had not committed any offenses before. The court rejected an appeal filed by a lawyer. Since February, 270 I have been serving my sentence in Penal Institution #29, Volkovysk.
The first two months they didn't employ me, put me on the preventive register and lectured me for a day. That is, I live entirely on my own account and pay for utilities for myself. Besides my mother, I have no one. She is left alone at home, her salary is not very high, to help me also.
Thank you for your support!
How much is needed?
1000 euro — For food and utilities, to pay the loan.