The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

Hrodna resident Ruslan Piatsko has received an official reply from the Supreme Court, saying that his appeal against a fine for refusing forced fingerprinting was dismissed.

Hrodna city executive officials have banned the holding of a series of pickets in support of retaining Polish-language education at a local secondary school attended by representatives of the city’s Polish minority.

Hrodna Leninski District Court has dismissed appeals by local pro-democratic activists Yury Istomin, Vadzim Saranchukou and Uladzimir Khilmanovich in their lawsuit against the city’s executive committee.

Hrodna city executive committee keeps violating the Mass Events Code by either denying local pro-democratic activists’ rights to stage pickets and meetings or failing to authorize the events in due time.

Hearings on a lawsuit of civil activists against Hrodna authorities have started at the Leninski District Court of Hrodna.

On 11 April the Leninski District Court of Hrodna tried Uladzimir Fianenka for alleged insubordination to a public agent and refusal from dactylography. Judge Mikalai Siarheika sentenced Mr. Fianenka to pay a fine of 20 basic units. However, the defendant received a copy of the verdict only on 30 April.

Five civil and political activists of Hrodna applied for holding pickets "For Fair Elections without Lukashenka" in different parts of the city on 15 May.

Hrodna activist of the United Civil Party Mrs. Aliaksandra Vasilevich has been reportedly visited by a policeman, who said the girl could face administrative charges in case she took part in the unsanctioned picket marking the 26th anniversary of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster scheduled for 26 April.

Hrodna civil activists Yury Istomin, Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Vadzim Saranchukou have lodged a lawsuit with Leninski District Court against a ban on holding a meeting marking the Freedom Day issued by the city’s executive committee on 19 March.