Police Officer Punished over Seizure of Leaflets

A police officer of the Savetski district police department in Homyel has been punished for the seizure of leaflets from Vasil Palyakow, a local opposition activist.

A disciplinary punishment was imposed on Andrey Lapukhow, the district prosecutor told Mr. Palyakow who chairs the United Civic Party`s regional organization in a letter.

The officer apprehended the opposition activist on November 10, questioned him and seized 1,500 leaflets that called on members of the House of Representatives to give an account of their activities. The politician recovered the leaflets later.

"He was punished not because he apprehended me and seized the leaflets but because he did not do it nicely, violating laws," Mr. Palyakow commented to BelaPAN. "But on the other side, people are given orders whose execution is impossible without violations of rules of procedure." //BelaPAN