Brest police attempt to disrupt election campaigning rally

Representatives of the coalition "Talaka", which includes members of the Belarusian Left Party "Fair World", the United Civil Party, the organization "Young Belarus" and other organizations, staged today their first joint event during an election campaigning picket in Brest.

The participants were approached by policemen who accused the campaigners of violating the law, because the action allegedly occupied a prohibited place.

In response, representatives of the democratic parties stated that they knew the decision of the city authorities on places prohibited for holding election pickets to collect signatures in support of candidates. However, according to the opposition activists, the picket was staged in a location not mentioned by the executive committee.

As a result, the police copied passport data of some participants (including UCP leader Anatol Liabedzka, local UCP leader Uladzimir Vuyek, and activist Yury Zhydovich) and left the venue of the rally without charging the campaigners.

"Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections"