Sevyarynets arrested for... collecting votes for freedom of conscience defence

In the prosecutor’s office of the Tsentralny district of Minsk youth leader Paval Sevyarynets was acquainted with a report, drawn up against him on violation the article 9.10 of the Administrative Code. The opposition activist is accused of unauthorised collecting of votes for amendments to laws on religion. Sevyarynets is at large now, but he may face a big fine.

As Paval Sevyarynets explained to the Charter’97 press center, he was said in the prosecutor’s office he should have registered an initiative group in the Central Election Commission before collecting votes.

“The detention resembles one in a detective novel. Five men caught me in the city center and guarded in an unknown direction... But the thing is in votes! It’s just paranoia. The authorities are afraid of active people who are ready to defend their rights,” Sevyarynets said to the Charter’97 press center.

A collective appeal of more than 50 thousand Belarusian citizens on introduction of amendments to laws on religion was sent to the Presidential Administration on 28 February.

It is suggested to form a working group of officials and believers to draw up necessary amendments and to impose moratorium on certain articles of a number of regulations and standards.