Publisher Lohvinau collects almost whole amount of fine
About 1,000 people donated money to collect $67,000 necessary to pay the fine.
The LohvinaU bookstore collected almost the entire amount of the fine. "Based on our calculations (and we have assets in different places), as well as guarantees from our benefactors - we have about 90% of the amount," says Ihar Lohvinau.
The publisher is planning to start paying today, but it will not be possible to quickly pay the entire amount in full due to some technical difficulties. The hearing about the payment deferral for six months is scheduled for March 15.
About 500 people brought their donations directly to the store, 500 more used the special website for that. The money were raised within two months. Donations came from 27 countries on 3 different continents.
"We are very grateful to everyone who helped us. We want to make a big event for all. We are now going to the book fair in Leipzig, and when we are back, we will immediately arrange something," the publisher told Euroradio in a comment.
On January 9, 2015, the Economic Court of Minsk ordered that for trading without a license, Lohvinau Bookstore must pay a fine and pay back "the illegal income". In total, it is 967 million rubles. In 2014, the store tried to register his book selling business six times, but to no avail.
Photo: budzma.org
