Authorities in Belarus have arrested a well-known activist on charges punishable by up to four years in prison, the Vyasna human rights group said on April 2. Dzmitry Kuchuk, whose Green Party was shut down last year, has been charged with “organizing activities that grossly violate public order,” according to Vyasna. The center said Kuchuk, 50, was arrested on February 16 in Minsk when he attempted to lay flowers and light a candle in memory of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, whose death was announced that day. Authorities ordered Kuchuk jailed for two 15-day periods before filing charges against him.
