Homel authorities avoid trial

On August 25, a hearing of a lawsuit lodged by human rights defenders Anatol Paplaunyand Leanid Sudalenka againstthe City Executive Committeewas adjourned by the Tsentralny District Court of Homel after a representative of the executive authorities failed to appear in court.

The human rights activists motioned to issue a warrant compelling the appearance of the representative, because,according to the activists, he showeddisrespect both forthem and for the court, to whichJudge Alena Tsalkova said that she was not sure thatthe executive committee had received the subpoenas.

Replying to another request, which concerned trying the case in Belarusian,the judge promised to settle the matter during the next meeting. As noted by the human rights activists, they refuse to speak the language of the country that supports terrorism and separatists.

Leanid Sudalenka and Anatol Paplauny lodged their lawsuit against the City Executive Committee, afterthe officials banned a picket in support of political prisoners scheduled for August 4. The ban referred to the applicants’ obligation to sign contracts with local healthcare and utilities departments. Numerous attempts to negotiate with the services do not bring any results: the clinic refers to the lack of ambulances, while the utilities cite absence of personnel for cleaning.

The officials also referred to the fact that the applicants had planned to hold the event in the central square, while the current restrictions allow holding pickets in only two places – a remote industrial area and outside a stadium on the outskirts of the city.

The next meeting is due on September 10.

Source: gomelspring.org