Homiel Residents Fined And Arrested Over “Hukanne Viasny” Celebration In Restaurant

Reform.news Editorial Team · 27 March 2026, 18:25

https://reform.news/en/homiel-residents-fined-and-arrested-over-hukanne-viasny-celebration-in-restaurant/

Several people were detained in Homiel for celebrating “Hukanne Viasny,” a traditional Belarusian folk ritual, according to Homiel Viasna.

According to human rights defenders, on March 21 participants gathered for the celebration in a закрытом courtyard of a restaurant, and the event had been approved by the regional executive committee. Dozens of people took part.

Trials of those detained were held yesterday at a district police department. The cases were heard by judges from courts in different districts, according to a source cited by human rights activists.

Several people received fines of at least 100 basic units (4,500 rubles), while one person was sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest.