Home of Smarhon resident searched over bulletin about election boycott

Uladzimir Shulzhytski was detained for handing out human rights bulletins.

Policemen made a report and seized 31 copies of the bulletin. According to them, the activist didn't have permission to distribute it, Radio Svaboda reports.

Uladzimir Shulzhytski's home was searched. Another issue of the bulletin was found. The activist was set free, but he received a summons to visit a police station on March 25.

The bulletin “Smarhonski Hrak” has a circulation of 299 copies and has been published irregularly for the last three years. The editor, Smarhon-based human rights defender Ales Derhachou, was surprised to learn that Shulzhytski was detained and his flat was searched.

“It was a surprise for me to hear that policemen wanted permission to distribute the bulletin. There are no such laws. The bulletin does not raise any forbidden topics. This issue explains why BPF members of Smarhon don't run in the election,” he says.