Mahiliou KGB reluctant to discriminate in the case of "Slavonic March" organization
The decision to authorize the "Slavonic March" is beyond
our competence – this is the answer received by the deputy head of
the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) Ihar Barysau from
the deputy head of the Mahiliou Region KGB Bureau
Savienka.
Meanwhile, the human rights defender Barys Bukhel
states that the security services shall pay a close attention to this
case:
"It's not a secret that Dzenisenka and Co. who took
part in the "Slavonic March" share pro-Russian views and
stand for a union of Slavs – Belarusians, Ukraians and Russians.
This presents a danger to the territorial integrity of Belarus.
That's why here this state organ showed incompetency, as far as its
first and foremost duty is to protect the independence of our
country. At the same time, KGB uses Article 193.1 of the Criminal
Code of the Republic of Belarus, "Illegal organization of
activities of public associations, religious organizations or funds
or participation in their activities", against some activists of
the democratic movement.
First of all, this article
contradicts to the Constitution. Secondly, its use by the KGB is
prohibited by the legislation, in particular – by Article 182 of
the Criminal-Process Code. It means that KGB officers don't do what
they must, but do what they must not do."
Bear in mind
that following the holding of the "Slavonic March" in
Mahiliou Ihar Barysau filed a number of complaints to the KGB, the
Mahiliou City Executive Committee and the Presidential
Administration. He asked to punish the Mahiliou ideologist Mikalai
Mikhalenia for showing his incompetence by authorizing the action of
pro-Russian right-wing forces. All aforementioned state organs find
no reasons to punish the official, though.
Meanwhile, the
police brought an administrative case against the organizer of the
"Slavonic March" Dzmitry Dzenisenka, as far as some of the
action participants were under age or covered their faces with
kerchiefs and masks, which is prohibited by the law. The trial over
him will take place on 11 January.