Why wearing the wrong socks is risky in Belarus

The Belarus authorities are now punishing not only those who fly the opposition red-and-white flag but even people sporting socks in those colours. 

 A woman on her way to a driving lesson was grabbed by four men in black balaclavas in the capital Minsk. They told her she was dressed improperly. The reason? She was wearing white socks with red stripes, like the banned flag. She was also accused of flashing V for Victory signs to passing drivers - who saluted back - and was heavily fined. A judge ordered Natalia Sivtsova-Sedushkina to pay 2,320 Belarus roubles - about £650 ($906). She was prosecuted under laws banning unauthorised protests. Her offending socks and red trainers were easy to see as she was wearing short jeans at the time. 

 The internet shop where she bought the socks has now stopped selling them - it does however sell similar white socks with black stripes. Ms Sivtsova-Sedushkina was fined a similar amount previously for adorning her balcony with red and white ribbons.

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