Brest resident to be punished for picket against quick execution of death sentences

The action, which was attended by Dzmitry Rabtsevich, took place on 28 March, when he went into the city center with a banner on which was written "No toFast Executions" and "Life or Death".

The activist wanted to draw public attention to the rapid execution of death sentences in Belarus after their entry into force. Dzmitry Rabtsevich stood with a placard literally 10 minutes, after which he was approached by police officers and taken to the Leninski District Police Department of Brest. There detainee was taken explanations, seized the poster and released without any charges.

However, this week Mr. Rabtsevich got a call from the police and was summonsed to the police station, where he was charged under Article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (violation of the order of holding mass events). According to a human rights defender Raman Kisliak, the violation report is drawn up in such a way that it is unclear which offense the activist had committeed. Mr. Kisliak believes that Dzmitry Rabtsevich didn't violate the law and just exercised his right to expression, guaranteed by the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.