Stefanovich demands consideration on the merits of his appeal

Human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich keeps appealing the illegal actions by the police during the search at Viasna’s office on 20 December, when his personal property was seized.

In his complaint submitted to Minsk City Prosecutor’s Office, Valiantsin Stefanovich says that during the search eight unknown persons and a police senior lieutenant failed to produce their IDs and explain their actions. “The grounds for my detention have not yet been explained; no reports on my detention have been drawn up”, says the human rights defender. Apart from that, the police did not issue a search report. Therefore, Mr. Stefanovich does not know by whom and for what reasons the property was seized, and where it is at the moment. He claims that the actions by the police were illegal and violated his rights.

Earlier, Valiantsin Stefanovich appealed the search with Minsk Pershamaiski Prosecutor’s Office. However, the complaint was redirected to chair of Minsk Pershamaiski Department of Internal Affairs colonel Koval.