Vitsebsk authorities ban two rallies to mark Chernobyl disaster anniversary

A total of three applications were submitted. The activists have so far received two replies, while one is yet left unanswered, although an official response should have been issued at least five days prior to the scheduled event.

A meeting dedicated to the memory of the Chernobyl tragedy was going to be staged by the head of the regional office of the Movement “For Freedom” Khrystafor Zhaliapau. However, the event expected to be held in the Komsomol’s 30th anniversary Park was banned by the administration of Pershamaiski district. The official reason is the lack of contracts with the local medical and police services. The organizer only managed to sign a contract with the public utilities department, the other agencies ignored his applications.

Thus, the organizers once again face the challenge of the impossible decree by Vitsebsk city executive committee No. 881, since it requires that the organizers of public events should enter into contracts with medical, pubic utilities services and the police before filing applications, while the mentioned agencies have repeatedly refused any cooperation.

All the attempts to impel them to sign the necessary contracts through court have brought no results, either: according to a recent decision of Kastrychnitski District Court, the institutions have every right to refuse signing the contracts. On April 22, the district court’s decision was upheld by Vitsebsk Regional Court...

The same reason was cited by a ban received by local leader of the Belarusian Popular Front Leanid Autukhou from the administration of Chyhunachny district. He had filed a request to hold a rally to mark the 27th anniversary of the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Park of Culture and Leisure of Railroad Employees.

“I wrote on my Facebook page that an application for the rally had been filed on behalf of the party. I did not call and did not invite anyone anywhere, I just informed of the fact. And I already feel that there will be consequences: on April 24 I am supposed to visit Kastrychnitski district police department “for questioning” – that is what the writ says. I believe that my visit can end up with preventive detention,” says Leanid Autukhou.