Former oppositional candidate intimidated by trial and fine
- 26.11.2008, 14:15
Financial police prosecutes former candidate for deputy and the deputy chairman for creation of the Freedom and Progress party Alyaksandr Silkou for “failure to provide income and property declaration”.
On November 26 the State Control Committee’s Financial investigation department of Mahilyou region drew up a report about an administrative offence against Alyaksandr Silkou.
When he registered as a candidate in Mahilyou Central constituency No. 85, Alyaksandr Silkou was to give a declaration to the tax inspection. However, the democratic activist disagreed with that offer and lodged an application to the prosecutor’s office to give him an explanation when tax agencies have a right to demand income information of citizens obligatorily, the human rights centre “Viasna” informs.
An answer was received soon. All categories of citizens which must give income declarations were enumerated. There were no candidates for deputies among them. A worker of the Prosecutor’s office informed that candidates for deputies should offer them too. Alyaksandr Silkou didn’t agree to that answer of the Prosecutor’s office and addressed the General prosecutor’s office.
Today he visited the State Control Committee’s Financial investigation department of Mahilyou region after an official summons. He wanted to come there with his lawyer Barys Bukhel. However, his legal representative wasn’t allowed to enter the office. To the question of A. Silkou what article of the law was a foundation for drawing up a report, they couldn’t answer. However, they informed that on December 3 the trial would take place, and the deputy chairman of the committee for creation of the Freedom and Progress party A. Silkou would be fined.
Financial police representatives disregarded the request of the activist to wait for an answer of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
As Barys Bukhel informed, depending on the results of the trial, local human rights activists are to challenge the decision of the administrative court in courts of superior jurisdiction.