Opposition activist detained in Mahilou for gathering signatures

An activist of the independent trade union of radioelectronics workers was detained in a dormitory building for Zenit plant workers.

Alyaksei Paulouski was gathering signatures to nominate Ryhor Antanovich and Uladzimir Punchanka as parliamentary candidates, Radio Svaboda reports.

According to the activist, he was detained at about 8 p.m. A security guard called the police.

“The security guard pushed the alarm button. Two police officers arrived. The security guard told I was carrying out a political campaign. I was taken to a police station. I showed policemen signature sheets and they took me back to the dormitory. As it was found out the building supervisor ordered the security guard to call police. The supervisor, for his part, received this order from a deputy director of Zenit plant. I was released. The policemen made a report for a false alarm call. I am going to file complaints to the constituency election commission and a prosecutor's office for creating obstacles in gathering signatures. This situation shows that candidates do not have equal conditions,” Alyaksei Paulouski says.