Militiamen beat “Boycott” campaign participants with truncheons

Activists of the “European Belarus” civil campaign Stsyapan Lauretski and Vadzim Sakolin were arrested for posting “Boycott!” stickers were arrested in the Savetski district of Minsk at night 18 September.

As the Charter’97 press center has learnt from the detained, physical force was used towards them during the arrest: they were beaten with truncheons at legs and backs. They were taken away cell phones, and had no opportunity to phone to relatives or friends. The young people were guarded to the Savetski district militia department, where a report upon article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences “violation of order of organisation of a mass event or a picket” was drawn against them.

The activists were seized a pack of “Boycott!” stickers. They were asked where they had got stickers from, were pressed psychologically and threatened: ‘You will be sorry for this! We will spoil your lives!’ and kept in a cell till 10 am. After that they were guarded to the Savetski district court.

The court sentenced each of them to a fine of 1,050,000 Belarusian rubles (500 dollars). Moreover, the “European Belarus” activists were given only receipts instead of legal judgements, so they can’t pay fine.

The “European Belarus” activists are going to send complaints to observers of the ODIHR OSCE mission.

This event is a proof of divergence between official statements of the authorities and actions of law enforcement bodies.

It should be reminded that Mikalai Lazavik, spokesman of the Central Commission for Elections and National Referendums, said on August 27 “agitation for boycott of the election” was not forbidden in Belarus.

“I saw stickers calling to boycott the “parliamentary election”. Let them agitate,” Lazavik said.

At the same time guided by the “Decision for Provision of Civil Security and Road Safety during Preparation and Holding of the Elections of Deputies to the House of Representatives”, given by the authorities. According to the document, different structural units and their heads must provide timely informing of law-enforcing agencies when persons carrying out anti-State agitation and urging to boycott elections are detected.