Following information that our colleague Dr. Vladimir Mentus was arrested and sentenced to 30 days in prison, the Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement (MASA) demands his release, as well as respect for the basic human rights of every protester. The case of colleague Mentus is not unique, as we are aware of several cases of arrest and detention without legally appropriate treatment, with excessive use of force, where persons were intimidated and were not given the opportunity to turn to a legal representative.
MASA protests most strongly and joins the demands of the general public to urgently stop the excessive use of force and the illegal treatment of the MUP against the demonstrators. In these extremely difficult times, when the epidemiological situation is radically worsening, and when citizens' dissatisfaction does not receive any response from the competent institutions, we believe that it is the primary responsibility of the police and the prosecutor's office not to allow the legal order and the safety of citizens to irreversibly collapse.
We hereby invite everyone who opposes this illegal practice to sign A petition for the release of Dr. Vladimir Mentus from prison and respect for the basic human rights of every protester.
