Miory: policemen don’t know electoral laws
A police inspector told Zmitser
Palcheuski to stop handing out leaflets in support of Uladzimir Niakliayeu
alleging that only the candidate or his proxy could distribute any printed
materials.
The activist was detained and guarded to the Miory District Police Department.
‘There the police inspector started telling me that I didn’t have the right to
hand out leaflets and agitate for my candidate – that I had no rights at all,
to put it short,’ said Mr. Palcheuski.
’We need to organize legal aid to Zmitser
Palcheuski, because there are few people in small towns who dare to agitate for
democratic candidates, and the local policemen have little knowledge of the
electoral legislation. The case in Miory is the first one of such a kind, but
it can happen in any other town where the police will decided to demonstrate
‘super-vigilance’ and intimidate our activists,’ said Lidziya Sahidulina, the
coordinator of Niakliayeu’s electoral team in the Vitsebsk region.
By the way, during the collection of signatures in Miory members of the electoral
team of Vital Rymasheuski had received anonymous telephone threats. In
addition, those who signed in support of Rymasheuski were visited and proposed
to refuse from their signatures.
The incident with Zmitser Palcheuski witnesses that electoral legislation is
still violated in Miory.
Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections
