Andrei Sharenda: Authorities are trying to stifle any activity

On the eve of the presidential elections authorities intensify repressions.

Brest activist Andrei Sharenda, detained by police on January 16 for allegedly distributing leaflets, told charter97.org about it. The trial on his case postponed several times. The activist has received another summons on 28 January.

"At first, they wanted to charge me of "illegal manufacturing and distribution of printed materials without imprint ", but decided to accuse of a "disorderly conduct" and "unsanitary conditions". On that day the protocol was sent to the police department of Maskouski district for revision. He was actually drawn up wrong because there were not enough witnesses of my "offenses". Only one police officer was mentioned as an eyewitness, it was not enough so a judge sent the protocol for revision. I don't know where they will look for other witnesses.

Police officers asked me to appear on January 20 but I asked to send the summons. They just put the summons, with a date to appear on January 28, into my mailbox, therefore I do not intend to go there. I will be waiting until I am normally handed over a document or forcibly delivered to the District Department of Internal Affairs. A situation is that at the moment the protocol is in Maskouski District Department of Internal Affairs of Brest. Most likely, they will keep it "in reserve" to take advantage of it when it is profitable", Andrei Sharenda said.

The oppositionist links his persecution with a political activity and upcoming "elections".

"There is relatively high political activity in Brest. There are solidarity rallies on the 16th of every month. Presidential elections are approaching, so there is the pressure on activists to stifle any activity", he said.

It should be recalled that the activist Andrei Sharenda was detained on January 16 in the morning in the bus. Riot police officers stated that the oppositionist looked" like a man committed a crime". First, he was drawn up a protocol under Art. 17.1 Administrative Offences Code (disorderly conduct) then under Atr. 21.14 (violation of rules on public services and utilities) for that he was allegedly pasting up leaflets with portraits of missed politicians.