Smarhon Activist Uladzimir Shulzhytski to Be Tried Today

On April 24^th, about 6 p.m. Smarhon police detained Uladzimir Shulzhytski, 18. Uladzimir was candidate at this year’s local election and participated in Freedom Day really in Minsk on March 25^th.

We learned the story of his detention. On the eve of April 24^th, flyers with information about the RFE/RL radio were distributed in the area were Uladzimir leaves. The flyers had Uladzimir’s cell phone number, in case someone fails to set the receiver to RFE/RL waves on their own. Shulzhytski received a phone call from a stranger who invited him to come and help with setting the receiver. Uladzimir went to the address. However, in the staircase he was met by policemen. They told him to follow them to a local police department. The police officers claimed they had many cases of apartment thefts, and he entered the apartment building where he didn’t live. In the police station the police officers drew up a report that Shulzhytski refused to follow them and used foul language.

On that ground Uladzimir was arrested and had to spend a night at the police station.

The trial will take place today, on April 25^th.