The human rights defenders Siarhei Housha, fined one million rubles for the alleged use of obscene language towards members of an election commission while observing the Parliamentary election, filed an appeal to the Brest Region Court.

Even though the human rights defender presented to the court a Dictaphone recording of his conversation with the members of the election commission and three conclusions of the forensic expertise (confirming that the observer didn’t use obscene language, the recording was original and was recorded on the Dictaphone which was presented to the court), the judge Mikhail Hryharovich found a reason to dismiss his appeal – because of the failure to timely pay the court fee.

The human rights defender says that this decision has an evident political motivation and it is impossible to win such a case in Belarus. Siarhei Housha considers the opposition’s “use of obscenities” during the election as one of the techniques used by the authorities to temporary exclude opponents from the socio-political life.

Now he intends to appeal to the Supreme Court. Foreseeing its verdict, he also states his intention to apply to the UN Human Rights Committee.

“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”