Mahiliou authorities ban picket over lack of cleaners

A picket expected to protest the introduction of new taxes was banned by the executive officials of Mahiliou, after local utility service refused to clean up the area.

An official response received by one of the applicants, Mahiliou leader of the United Civil Party Uladzimir Shantsau, says that the company lack cleaners and the date the event was expected to be staged was a day-off.

As a result, Mahiliou City Executive Committee decided to ban the picket.

The situation is commented by Chairman of the Mahiliou regional office of the Belarusian Popular front Party “Adradzhenne”, Zmitser Salauyou:

“First, the utility service signed a contract to clean up the area, but then they broke the agreement. I think that all this has a political subtext, and the local authorities do not want to give permission for public events, even on the outskirts of the city, the only authorized location in Mahiliou. Obviously, the issue of new taxes affects the majority of Belarusians and is relevant for them, so citizens can come to support the picket even on the outskirts of the city.”