Free Election Demanded In Salihorsk (Photo) :: Charter'97 :: News

On December 4 the Young Front activists staged a picket near the central market in Salihorsk. Young activists put up a streamer “No to non-competitive election!” and handed out leaflets with an appeal to ballot strike.

The Political Council of the democratic forces in Salihorsk has adopted a decision set up a boycott of local election because democratic candidates hadn’t been registered.

Salihorsk dwellers’ reaction was positive; they tended to non-participation in election farce, saying that pro-regime candidates even do not have to campaign. People have no idea about platforms of the candidates or the future candidates personally.

In about 30 minutes policemen appeared. They detained two participants of the protest: Ivan Shyla and Andrus Tychyna.

In the police department a report was drawn up against a 16-year-old Young Front activist Ivan Shyla. He was charged with participation in an unsanctioned protest and for violation of the law on press.

In a few hours young activists were released. However, actions in Salihorsk continued. Activists of the Young Front handed out in the streets several thousands of informational leaflets.