ALEXANDER KAZULIN CHARGED WITH TWO CRIMES

31.03.2006.

On March 30 during interrogation in Zhodzina detention center the police pressed charged against Alexander Kazulin. Attorney Ihar Rynkevich was present during the interrogation of the former presidential candidate: “Alexander Kazulin is charged with 2 crimes – for the events that happened on February 17 in the building of the National Press Center – this is malicious hooliganism, as well as the episode on March 2 in Kastrychnitski police department; and the events on March 25 – he is charged with organizing group actions which violated the public order”.
Let us remind the readers that on February 17 Alexander Kazulin was going to hold a press conference in the building of the National Press Center. However, he and colleagues were not let in the building. There was a clash with the security guards in the lobby.

On March 2 the candidate to the post of the President tried to register as a participant of the All-Belarusian Conference. However, in the building of Chyhunachny Palace he was attacked, beaten and taken to Kastrychnitski police department. There Alexander Kazulin broke a portrait of president Lukashenka.

On March 25 after the rally in Kupala Park the ex-candidate headed the column of the protestors who went to Akrestsina jail. According to the police, Kazulin was detained when the column tried to break through the police cordons. Kazulin claims he was attacked by policemen from behind when he tried to persuade the protestors to return to the Church on Niamiha Street to pray for the people in jail.

According to Attorney Rynkevich Alexander Kazulin claims not guilty on all three episodes. He believes it is the Belarusian authorities who are responsible for the clashes with the law-enforcing bodies.

The attorney visited Kazulin for the first time 3 days ago. Then we found out that the politician had been severely beaten during the detention. He has an injured spine and leg. Attorney Ihar Rynkevich says the defense has prepared several petitions. They ask to carry out a medical expert examination of Kazulin’s injuries and medical expert examinations of the other people who suffered during the events of March 25.

Kazulin’s case is still investigated by the group of Minsk city police headed by Alexander Kuntsevich. The investigators avoid any contacts with the press, reports RFE/RL.

Members of Navapolatsak Kazulin’s HQ launched a signature collection campaign under the petition to Belarus Prosecutor General.

The appeal demands to “immediately release the illegally detained Alexander Kazulin, as well as the other political prisoners and to punish those who has beaten and arrested the defenseless people”.
According to Valer Shauchenka, one of the campaign initiators, several dozen Navapolatsak residents have already signed the petition. The activists plan to collect signatures near the entry gates of large Navapolatsak factories.