Trade union activist jailed for two days after asking for complaint book

Aliaksandr Vaitseshyk, legal inspector of the independent trade union of radio-electronic industry (REP) from Baranavichy has been unexpectedly sentenced to two days in jail. On November 17, he asked to give him a book of complaints and comments at a canteen in Niasvizh, but the waitress and the director refused to do it. This book should be issued at the request of the customer, so Aliaksandr Vaitseshyk called the police. Since all showed that the trade union activist was right in his claim, a police officer started writing a report, but someone suddenly called him and the police officer took the activist to the police department. There, the trade union activist was charged with hooliganism under Article 17.1 of the Administrative Code, as he allegedly used foul language during the incident.

During his stay in the temporary detention, police officers demanded a confession of guilt. Only on the third day, November 19, when the police department started receiving calls from journalists and REP chairman Aliaksandr Fiadynich, Aliaksandr Vaitseshyk was brought to court. After the activist asked for a counsel, the hearing was adjourned till November 28.

Now Aliaksandr Vaitseshyk is preparing a complaint to the Investigation Committee to defend his honor and to seek justice in this case.