The appeal submitted to the office of Brest Regional Prosecutor deals with the incident of 2 August when Baranavichy human rights defender Siarhei Housha was summoned to the city’s police department and charged with “hooliganism” for alleged swearing at a sitting of constituency election commission No. 5 back on 23 July.

The charges are based on claims by the commission’s chair Mrs. Tatsiana Latyshava. Mr. Housha, in turn, says he has a recording showing that he did not use foul language at the meeting.

In his appeal, the observer urges the prosecutor to investigate the case and study the evidence he refers to.

Siarhei Housha says that by evading proper consideration of his claims Baranavichy police and prosecuting officials violated Art. 2.8 of the Code on Administrative Procedures, i.e. his right to legal protection in an administrative case. He also stresses that the prosecutor of Baranavichy who redirected his previous appeal to a court violated Art. 125 of the Constitution.

“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”