Horki: action in support of political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich ended with detentions
About 30 people arrived to the colony in Horki on 2
August. They demanded that political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich was allowed to
meet with his lawyer. The colony's administration refuses to let the lawyer in
until receiving a corresponding request from Dashkevich himself.
Police car which was parked near the entrance left. Five policemen in uniform
tried to take a streamer from the activists. The youngsters sat on the ground,
holding the streamer. Among them there was Dashkevich's fiancee, Nasta
Palazhanka. The policemen tried to drag
them out of the way, and dragged two guys to the colony's building. The
participants of the action chanted "Shame on you!" and tried to fight
their friend back from the policemen. The policemen snatched the streamer
"Stop harassment!".
14 participants of the picket were detained, including Viachaslau Barysau,
Mikola Dzemidzenka, Yuliya Mikhailava, Nasta Palazhanka, Uladzimir Radkevich,
Tatstsiana Shaputska, Hanna Sharuba, Ivan Shyla, Zmitser Shurkhai, Aliaksei
Siamchyla, Yauhen Skrabets, Raman Vasiliieu, Aliaksandr Vialitchanka.
4.40
p.m. The
activists detained near the colony in Horki are kept in the police van which is
parked near the building of the local police department. The policemen have
just brought them some water in plastic bottles.
5.45
p.m. The policemen are saying that they will keep the activits
in the police department at least till 19.15 - three hours since the moment of
detention.
7.50
p.m. The driver who
had been detained together with the activists was fined, allegedly for illegal
parking.
3
August
The trial started in Horki. It was closed – neither human rights activists nor
journalists were able to enter the building. Only Tatstsiana Shaputska’s mother
was let in.
Then Viachaslau Barysau, Mikola Dzemidzenka, Yuliya Mikhailava, Nasta
Palazhanka, Tatstsiana Shaputska, Hanna Sharuba, Aliaksei Sianchyla, Yauhen
Skrabets and Raman Vasiliieu were taken to the District Police Department of
another town, Drybin. Activists sent personal hygienic items, drinking water
and a few dozen cigarettes to the detained. However, Drybin policemen have
refused to accept foodstuffs.
Zmitser Shurkhai, Ivan Shyla, Maksim Siamionau and Aliaksandr Vialitchanka were
left in Horki.