Valiantsin Stefanovich: “It is essential to expose the means used by investigators”

According to information received by the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, numerous persons have been subjected to harassment in the “mass riots” criminal case. Unidentified representatives of secret services reportedly beat a teenager, putting a bag on his head, forcing him to admit he had been incited to take part in the mass riots by opposition leaders.

Viasna’s lawyer Valiantsin Stefanovich comments on the situation:

“First of all, one should know that interrogation of witnesses cannot be carried out without records. Besides, the investigators should tell you about your rights under Article 60 of the Criminal Procedural Code. However, a person must not be forced to testify against oneself, as provided by Article 27 of the Belarusian Constitution.”

“Secondly, we have received numerous reports of interrogations being carried out beyond legal procedures: people are taken to police stations or unknown places and forced to testify against themselves. All this is illegal and should be appealed at prosecuting authorities. The facts should also be made public, because it is essential to expose the means used by investigators today.”