Belarus human rights watchdogs recognize Vyachaslau Kasinerau political prisoner
belsat.eu
6 April 2017, 19:29
A criminal action taken against activist Vyachaslau Kasinerau is politically motivated, Belarusian human rights organizations say in a joint statement.
On March 28, Kasinerau, who was serving a 15-day administrative detention for participation in a demonstration on February 17 in Minsk, was charged with an offense under Part 1, Art. 339 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism). The activist was taken into custody and transferred to the Interior Ministry’s pre-trial prison in Minsk.
The criminal charges stem from an action held on March 12 near the Interior Ministry’s building in Minsk, when Kasinerau threw a noose on the statue of a Russian Empire policeman, protesting against police impunity and persecution of activists of the anarchist movement. The Belarusian human rights watchdogs believe that the actions of Vyachaslau Kasinerau do not constitute an offense mentioned above.
The statement says that the activist just wanted to voice his protest against police abuse and persecuting anarchist activists for their participating in peaceful protests.
“His actions are not related to the use of violence or threat of violence, destruction or damage of property. They are not illustrative of special cynicism or hooligan motives; they are aimed at the expression of opinion,” the human rights activists point out.
According to them, such measures as arresting Kasinerau and accusing him of hooliganism are excessive. The criminal process is in progress due to Kasinerau’s involvement in the anarchist movement; it may be a retaliation act on the part of the police, they say.
In connection with the deprivation of liberty on such grounds, human rights activists consider Vyachaslau Kasinerau a political prisoner and demand that the Belarusian authorities should stop criminal proceedings and immediately release him.
The statement was signed by HRC Viasna, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Legal Transformation Center, the Committee for the Defense of the Repressed ‘Solidarity’, The Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House, the Belarusian Documentation Centre, the Belarusian PEN Center, Legal Initiative.
6 April 2017, 19:29
Vyachaslau Kasinerau
On March 28, Kasinerau, who was serving a 15-day administrative detention for participation in a demonstration on February 17 in Minsk, was charged with an offense under Part 1, Art. 339 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism). The activist was taken into custody and transferred to the Interior Ministry’s pre-trial prison in Minsk.
The criminal charges stem from an action held on March 12 near the Interior Ministry’s building in Minsk, when Kasinerau threw a noose on the statue of a Russian Empire policeman, protesting against police impunity and persecution of activists of the anarchist movement. The Belarusian human rights watchdogs believe that the actions of Vyachaslau Kasinerau do not constitute an offense mentioned above.
The statement says that the activist just wanted to voice his protest against police abuse and persecuting anarchist activists for their participating in peaceful protests.
“His actions are not related to the use of violence or threat of violence, destruction or damage of property. They are not illustrative of special cynicism or hooligan motives; they are aimed at the expression of opinion,” the human rights activists point out.
According to them, such measures as arresting Kasinerau and accusing him of hooliganism are excessive. The criminal process is in progress due to Kasinerau’s involvement in the anarchist movement; it may be a retaliation act on the part of the police, they say.
In connection with the deprivation of liberty on such grounds, human rights activists consider Vyachaslau Kasinerau a political prisoner and demand that the Belarusian authorities should stop criminal proceedings and immediately release him.
The statement was signed by HRC Viasna, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Legal Transformation Center, the Committee for the Defense of the Repressed ‘Solidarity’, The Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House, the Belarusian Documentation Centre, the Belarusian PEN Center, Legal Initiative.
