Thus Aliaksandr Zhydkevich, local election observer from Bychykha village in Haradok district, has faced serious problems in his work place. This young doctor was accused of demanding a bribe from one of his patients, who is a relative of A. Zhydkevich’s boss. Webpage of civic initiative „Charter97“ reports that Mr Zhydkevich was forced to give his official and personal documents, the obligatory fingerprint detection took place as well.
Former candidate to the parliament Leanid Autukhou, who lives in the neighboring town of Haradok, is accused of a violation of the electoral law: the activists is blamed that his poster was put illegally on the door of a local post office. Belarusian radio Liberty notes, that Autukhou has even not got the copy of his accusation: local government officer stated that the municipality has no money for sending letters to the citizens. The court has proved that accusation protocol was invalid due to gross violations when composing it, but Leanid Autukhou was not exculpated.
Former candidate of United Civic Party (UCP) in Hrodna rural district Viktar Padchynionkau and his adviser Uladzimir Laryn were invited to local KGB office by anonymous phone call. According to the human rights center „Viasna“, the activists refused to meet the undercover security agents without official summons.
Some of local candidates and activists in different Belarus cities are taken to courts by the authorities on the suspicion of violating electoral law. They are fined millions for their „crimes“.
On 14 November Homel regional court rejected an appeal of UCP activist Dzianis Rabianok against Yelsk district court verdict imposing on him a fine of 1 million 50 thousand BYR allegedly for violating the rules of signature collection for a representative of United Democratic Forces Mikola Haurylenka. “Viasna” is also quoting the Radio Liberty about trials against Svetlahorsk activists Sviatlana Mikhalchanka, Viktar Akhramchuk, and Siarhei Shavialenka who were fined 40 “basic units” (around 1 400 000 BYR) allegedly for disseminating periodicals without date-line during the pre-election campaign and abusing the freedom of media.
Kastus Zhukouski from Buda-Kashaliova who withdrew his candidacy “without serious reason” is judicially forced to pay 1 700 000 BYR back to the budget as a compensation for publishing campaign materials. Radio “Liberty” notes Belarusian law does not contain any demand to give “serious reasons” for withdrawing candidacy. The radio quotes the coordinator of the campaign “For Free and Fair Elections” Viktar Karniayenka: “The European standards stipulate that if there is no special provision in a law it means that any reason given by a candidate must be considered serious”.
Facing wide-scale repressions, the Belarusian opposition traditionally answers with few in number counter-claims. They also began collecting signatures in favor of amending the Election Code of Belarus.
