Homel oppositionists appeal against unlawful arrest
Uladzimir Katsora and Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh
addressed the Tsentrany District Court of Mahiliou with an appeal against the
unlawful arrest.
The matter is that on 7 and 8 October, short before the People's Assembkly,
Katsora and Niapomniashchykh had been detained by police and charged with
violation of the rules of holding mass events (Article 23.34 of the Code of
Administrative Offenses). They were kept in the remand prison till trial, which
was conducted on 10 October. The activists had been found guilty and sentenced
to pay fines.
“We consider the detention for more than 3 hours as an unlawful restriction of
our right to freedom and personal immunity, and addressed the procuracy with
appropriate appeals. However, we were answered that our detention our status
was determined as the status of persons who committed an offense,” state the
applicants.
In fact, it is a clear violation of the presumption of innocence. However, the
regional procuracy upheld the district procuracy and found the actions of the
police lawful and well-grounded.
“As a result of these actions of the police we received such extra-judicial
penalty, as factual administrative arrest for three days,” stated the
plaintiffs.
