Human rights activist Leanid Svetsik presented accusation: he faces up to 5 years in prison
11- 15.04.2009, 16:22
A human rights activist from Vitsebsk is accused of “stirring up national hatred” and libel against Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
An investigator of the KGB department for the Vitsebsk region presented an accusation to the human rights activist for the second time.
“The investigator asked only one question whether I admitted my fault fully or partially or I pleaded not guilty. I answered I pleaded not guilty. I will learn the materials of the case tomorrow. For the second time,” Leanid Svetsik says.
When Svetsik will learn the materials of the case, it will be sent to the prosecutor’s office of the Vitsebsk region.
Besides, the employment center arrested the account of Leanid Svetsik. The human rights activist is indignant about the fact his family (with his 9-year old elder child and 1.8-year old younger child) was deprived of means of sustenance:
“My account was arrested. According to the contract with the employment center, I was learning to be an individual entrepreneur. I was given a subsidy by the state (I’d like to render service in education sector, this subsidy was for equipment purchasing: a laptop and printing equipment). It was on April 7.
On April 13, I registered as an individual entrepreneur, brought my documents to the employment center and was told the KGB department for the Vitsebsk region had phoned and demanded to arrest my account. My family, two minnow children, my wife is on maternity leave looking after our baby, is deprived of an opportunity to earn. I am deprived the right to labour. Is this fair?” Leanid Svetsik told in an interview to “Belorusski Partizan”.
In 2006–2007, Leanid Svetsik was rendering legal aid to Vitsebsk activists, who received letters with threats on behalf of unregistered pro-Nazi organization Russian National Unity, was helping to prepare complaints to prosecutors.
A criminal case over fact of threats from RNU was instigated only on May 20 last year. Leanid Svetsik was mentioned as a witness in the case, but later he was said he was a suspect person under article 130.1. The criminal case against him was suspended in September. On March 31, 2009, he was charged under two articles of the Criminal Code: stirring up national or religious hatred (article 130) and libel against the president of Belarus (article 367). The human rights activist was given a written pledge not to leave town.
Baiting of human rights activists seems to gain momentum in Belarus. It should be reminded that human rights activist from Salihorsk committed suicide. Human rights activists insist on instigation a criminal case over the fact of incitement to suicide.
