Vitsebsk: two electoral meetings of Vital Rymasheuski get disrupted
The agreement for the
electoral meeting with workers of the TV and Radio Company Vitsebsk was received in advance. However, before its beginning the
Deputy Chairperson of the company Vadzim Lapatsinski stated that it was a high
security object, that’s why the candidate wouldn’t be let in and even passing
the people his leaflets wouldn’t be allowed.
’They have started issuing pass cards to us, but Mr. Lapatsinski came and
stated that all people were at work and therefore they couldn’t come out and
meet with us. We also weren’t allowed to come to them, as it’s a ‘high security
object’ and ‘unauthorized persons aren’t admitted there’,’ said Rymasheuski’s
proxy Pavel Seviarynets. ’We had to hold the meeting outdoors – for drivers and
technical personnel of the company, and occasional passers-by.’
In the afternoon Mr. Rymasheuski intended to visit the Pershamaiski District
Executive Committee. However, the meeting was cancelled 30 minutes before its
beginning.
Pavel Seviarynets said that the candidate was handed a written refusal at the
entrance of the executive committee. Three days ago, when the application for
the meeting was filed, the officials didn’t have any objections that the
meeting would be held during the working hours. However, right before the
meeting they presented the refusal, together with their apologies for the
failure to inform him about it in advance.
Vital Rymasheuski and his team had nothing left to do but hand out the
agitation leaflets at the entrance of the executive committee.
Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections