Activist from Polatsk was forced to the Vitebsk court :: Charter'97 :: News

On 31 January the militiamen came to Syargei Rabtsau and asked him to follow them to the Vitebsk court. When the activist told them that he could not leave his disabled mother alone the militiamen mentioned that they had been ordered to bring him and forced him into the car, reported the Radio Ratsiya.

Before leaving the house he managed to phone Pavel Levinau, human-rights defender. P.Levinau turned to the department for internal affairs of the regional executive council asking them who would be responsible if, in case of the activists being arrested, something happened to his mother. After some time Levinau was phoned back and informed that the judge had agreed to fine the activist and to let him free.

Judge Smalyakova didn’t even open the hearing of the court because for that Rabtsau should have been introduced to the case and call for the lawyer. The hearing is to be held on February 20.

Rabtsau is blamed for supposed abuse of the regional territorial commission seating when his claim on registration refusal was being considered .He demanded open hearing. As far as Rabtsau is concerned, he considers that the reason is the refusal to consider his claim on the law violation by the Polatsk authorities, Polatsk office of public prosecutor, militia and regional office of public prosecutor.

Valeri Shauchenka, inhabitant of Navapolatsk, was also fined for the same reason and oppositional Valeri Schukin was detained for 5 days.