Baranavichy: election observer charged with disorderly conduct
On 2 August police inspector Mikalai Kudrautsau
summonsed human rights defender Siarhei Housha to the Baranavichy District
Police Department on the basis of an application of the head of the election
commission of Baranavichy-Western election constituency #5. Tatsiana Latyshava.
According to Latyshava, on 23 July he insulted her and other members of the
commission with the use of obscene language. Siarhei Housha provided a
dictaphone recording of the commission's sitting of 23 July. Though the police
officers Mikalai Kudrautsau and Vital Rachkouski heard no foul expressions
uttered by Mr. Housha on the recording, they proposed that he signed the report
of questioning and the violation report according to which he was charged with
the use of obscene language (Article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative
Offenses).
He refused to do it an made an entry in the complaint book of the police
department that the policemen seem to implement somebody's order instead of
discriminating in his case.
“They didn't provide me with copies of these reports,” said the human rights
defenders. “It's quite surprising that the police don't even want to
discriminate in the case, but accuse me of insulting Tatsiana Latyshava and
other commission members right away. I made oral and written inquiries to her
to be shown minutes #1 of the sitting of the commission. Instead of it, she
libels me with the aim to prevent me from monitoring the commission
activities,” said Mr. Housha.
He also intends to appeal the police inaction in this case to procuracy.
“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”
