Authorities pressing on 6-year old niece of evicted oppositionist

A family of opposition activist Zhanna Abramava is evicted on a decision of the Brest authorities.

On December 19, deputy headmaster of the school, where the youngest members of the family, Masha, studies, ordered the homeroom teacher to examine social living conditions of the child.

As Euroradio learnt from Masha’s mother Inha Abramava, the teacher said “a commission needed to examine living conditions Masha has and find out if she has the right to attend school”. In her turn, the homeroom teacher says she is forced to examining living conditions of the girl by Svyatlana Papko, deputy headmaster on educational work.

According to Inha Abramava, Masha’s teacher phoned after “Brestski Kuryer” newspaper published an article on December 18 informing that Abramava’s family is evicted from a Brest apartment on politically motivated grounds.

Sisters Zhanna and Inha Abramavas are activists of the “For Freedom” movement and members of the United Civil Party. The childcare service of the Maskouski district education department of Brest city appeared for Masha at a trial, but all in vain.

Zhanna Abramava says unknown people have knocked at windows and doors, phoned but remained silent for about six months. Once the door was even smashed down. Neighbours said two men had did it - one was in mufti, another one wore militia uniform.

In November, the Maskouski district court of Brest ordered that Zhanna Abramava must be evicted from a flat but didn’t propose another place for her to live. The court agreed with the housing and utilities service that Zhanna was registered in a state-owned flat according to a sublease contract. As a lessee, her grandmother, died in 2005, the contract must be terminated.

In fact, not only Zhanna, but also her mother and two sisters – adult Inha and 6-year old sick Marianna, were evicted.

Zhanna Abramava held a protest picket near the building of the region executive committee on the central square of Brest that was scattered by militia. Zhanna Abramava and other participants of the picket were fined at two basic units.

Zhanna Abramava, opposition activist of Brest, was detained two times in April on a suspicion of allegedly committing of a criminal offence (these cases were closed later). Zhanna Abramava had to spend 61 hours in a militia station for the first time, and 72 hours for the second time.