Another report against Molchan beaten by police

Activist of European Belarus civil campaign Andrei Molchan, who was beaten by police, refused to sign a police report stating he showed disobedience to police officers.

“At 10 pm at June 24, two police captains from the Pershamaiski district police department visited me at home. They said they came in connection with the case over my detention on May 19. I told them I had said all details of the case to the Investigation Committee. They answered police and the Investigation Committee were different agencies.

As it turned out, policemen received a letter from the Investigation Committee ordering to draw up an administrative report over article 23.4 (disobedience to police). I was surprised. As far as I know, the committee found no disobedience in my actions. I wrote down in the report, which was made beforehand, that I didn't agree with it. They took the paper and left me,” Molchan told Radio Svaboda.

Andrei Molchan has not received an official reply from the Investigation Committee, which extended an inquiry into the incident until June 30. The democratic activist says severe headaches reduced, but he has problems with his eye: “I have eye pain and my sight has worsened.”

As previously reported by charter97.org, Andrei Molchan raised a national white-red-white flag near Pershamaiski supermarket in Uruchcha city district on May 19 to show his solidarity with Syarhei Kavalenka. Police detained and brutally beat him. He was preliminary diagnosed with a head injury, fractures of the lower jaw and ribs, injuries from blows to kidneys and legs.

On May 25, Andrei Molchan was discharged from hospital and sent to a polyclinic. The discharge summary says he has only a mild brain injury while broken jaw and other injuries are in question.

On May 28, two police reports were drawn up against Molchan. The reports accuse him of violating article 17.1 (swearing) and article 23.34 (unauthorized picket).