Administrative case against Kastus Shytal is dropped
The trial on the case of Kastys Shytal, a civil activist from the town
of Hlybokaye, journalist for westki.info, lasted for 5 minutes. Judge of the
Hlybokaye District Court Iryna Kazak ruled to drop the case due to the expiry
of the terms for administrative punishment.
The idea to punish the activist belongs to the Hlybokaye District Executive
Committee: on 22 February its legal adviser composed a report that the activist
had allegedly violated the electoral legislation during the latest presidential
electoral campaign (while observing the election).
According to complaint of observer Maryia Matsulevich, he allegedly unlawfully
asked students of the local lyceum whether they came to vote early on their own
will.
Mr. Shytal thinks that the trial was initiated with the aim to exercise moral
pressure and intimidate him. However, the local authorities showed a weak knowledge
of the legislation: the terms of punishment for the aforementioned violation
are over. On the other hand, Kastus Shytal pleads innocent. He is sure that the
initiators of the case cannot present any convincing evidence of his guilt.
