Vitebsk: Candidate may be isolated for 15 days
On September 18th Andrei Levinau, candidate in Vitebsk-Chyhunachnaya district # 19 was handed a copy of the report about administrative infringement under Article 9.1 of the Administrative Code. The article provides for up to 15 days of imprisonment. Andrei is accused of inflicting trivial injuries to A. Zakharau, master of sports in boxing, striking him in the small of the back on August 8th.
On September 19th the report and the case materials will be sent to court which is to consider them on the day of receipt.
The report was drawn up personally by head of district police department police major A. Shastou. He drew it up in his office and came to hand it to school # 11, where school principal N. Aberamok refused candidate Levinau an opportunity to speak to the parents. The school principal claimed candidates, unlike incumbent MPs, do not have the right to deliver speeches at parents’ meetings.
There are two polling stations located in the school: # 42 and 43. For some reason, election posters of the incumbent MP Siarhei Siamashka were allowed in the school. Siarhei Siamashka also appeared to be there, together with his agent Alexander Sherykou. However, when he saw Andrei Levinau, Siamashka refused to speak to the voters and left the school building.
The election headquarters of Andrei Levinau received information from the staff of the local Palace of Children’s and Youth Activity. They report, the Palace director L. A. Mishurnaya gathered a staff meeting on September 18th. At the meeting she urged everyone to vote early and obliged the staff to personally report to her after they have voted.
Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections
