Head of independent candidate's team sacked

Pyotr Baseika, an activist of the initiative group pf BPF candidate Valery Karankevich, has been dismissed due to “expiration of employment contract”.

Pyotr Baseika worked as a watchman at the public and utilities office in Khotimsk. He heads the team of Valery Karankevich, a Khotimsk-based activist of the BPF party and Tell the Truth campaign. The activist thinks the employment contract with him wasn't prolonged only due to his political activity, Viasna human rights centre reports.

“My last working day was on August 24. I am unemployed since August 25,” Pyotr Baseika says. “I haven't received by employment history book and final payment yet, because I am going to appeal against the employer's decision. I consult with human rights activists about the best way to do it. Of course, dismissal due to 'expiration of employment contract' looks ridiculous because the housing and utilities office in Khotimsk is in constant need of employers. People dismiss and go to work in Russia due to low payment. My active participation in Karnakevich's initiative group was the last straw. Having sacked me, the authorities make me to leave the district and go to work in Russia. As people say, no man, no problem. But I will remain involved in the electoral campaign till the end and solve my personal problems after that.”

Candidate Valery Karankevich also thinks the dismissal of his election team head is politically motivated.

“Pyotr Baseika is an active member of my team. He often informed officials about public problems and he was sacked for this reason,” Valery Karankevich supposes. “They understand that without stable pay he will go to work in Russia and the problem will be settled. By the way, Baseika's wife always faced pressure at work. They wanted her to influence her husband. Khotimsk officials hinder activity of my team. Pyotr Baseika and Syarhei Petrazhytski were not included in district election commissions 'for lack of experience'. It's ridiculous. Pyotr Baseika completed higher education, he was a technical worker in town's lyceum for seven years and participated actively in an number of election campaigns, but now he lost his job of a watchman for political activity, though the housing and utilities office of Khotims regularly post ads to find employees...”