Slonim Police Detains Members of the People’s Coalition “5+”

24.03.2004.

On 23 March Slonim police detained representatives of the People’s Coalition “5+”: deputy head of Belarusian Party of Communists Alena Skryhan, head of Belarusian Popular Front Vincuk Viacorka, and member of the United Civic Party Anatol Pawlaw.
They arrived to Slonim on the invitation of local councilor Ivan Sheha, who was organizing a meeting with voters. The meeting was supposed to take place in a school, but the building was locked. Ivan Sheha decided to hold the meeting in a school yard. Vincuk Viacorka told Radio Racyja reporter what happened further on: “The moment we, guests from Minsk, left the meeting in a car, we were detained by police and convoyed to the district police board. They kept us near the police station for 2,5 hours. They had our passports and tried to drag us into the building to draw up reports. We refused to leave the car. Eventually, they gave us our documents back, but promised we would be charged with violation of the procedure of organizing rallies and meetings (Art 167-1 of the Code of Administrative Offences). When we left Slonim councilor Ivan Sheha was still detained by police. I take that as an attempt to stop meetings with voters, organized by local councilors, members of the People’s Coalition “5+”, with participation of leaders of 5+. This is the first attempt of the authorities, it is done against the law, which allows councilors to meet voters any time and any place – this is their job and duty”.