Belarusian Social Democratic Party activist in Mahiliou appeals inaction by prosecuting authorities

Mikalai Zalozny, member of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada), filed a complaint to the Prosecutor of Mahiliou region to complain about local prosecuting officials.

The activist argues that the officials have failed to address a number of facts of corruption and abuse of power by his former boss, chief of the Mahiliouablselbud dormitory system Pavel Shyshou.

"In its letter of March 26, 2013, the Prosecutor's Office of Mahiliou region notified me that my appeal had been forwarded to Leninski District Prosecutor’s Office with a request to check my report and inform me about the results of the investigation. So far, I have not received any reply from there, while all possible deadlines have expired,” says Mikalai Zalozny.

With his complaint, the BSDP activist wants to have those guilty of ignoring his appeal to the Prosecutor’s Office to be brought to justice. Besides, he urges the high prosecuting official to audit corruption and abuse of power by Pavel Shyshou.

Mikalai Zalozny used to be employed as a mechanic in one of the dormitories of Mahiliou. After he joined the initiative group of a Belarusian Social Democratic Party candidate Leanid Padbiaretski during the latest election campaign, he began to be harassed by his employer.

His boss Paul Shyshou forced him to write an explanatory note about the opposition party he belonged to. After that, Mikalai Zalozny for deprived of bonuses for several times. He received written reprimands almost every day. As a result, he was deprived of all extra payments and forced to move to work to another facility. The mechanic refused to sign a new contract, which had significantly poorer working conditions, after which he was fired. The activist could not regain the job in court. Now he is facing eviction from the dormitory, where he is registered.