Opposition member in Vitsebsk seals mouth to avoid cursing charges

Siarhey Parsyukevich, an activist with the For Freedom movement, was today detained in the city of Vitsebsk. During the arrest, he silently sealed his mouth with a seal tape in order to avoid cursing charges, routinely used by police against opposition members.
The activist's car was stopped by traffic police officers outside his house. Police told Parsyukevich that his car was allegedly reported missing and ordered him to follow them to a police station, reports Charter'97.

Uladzimir Katsyura of For Freedom movement was yesterday detained under a similar pattern in Homel. His car was stopped on the same allegations. Katsyura was later charged with cursing and sentenced to 7 days of arrest.