Hrodna Judge Kozel Doubted Justice Ministry Decision

The administrative proceedings in the case of a Hrodna activist of the REP trade union Ivan Roman. Mr. Roman was accused of acting on behalf of an unregistered organization. Despite the evidence provided – the REP trade union was registered by the Ministry of Justice and has the status of a republican trade union (which means it has the right to operate throughout Belarus), Ms Kozel saw in the actions of Ivan Roman features of a violation provided in the Administrative Code. The arguments produced by the defense were considered to be far-fetched and ignored.
"Thus, it becomes incomprehensible why a large apparatus of the Ministry of Justice is needed if an ordinary district judge may rule in violation of the Ministry of Justice decision", said Mr. Roman. The flagrant violations of the Belarusian legislation give reasons to further appeal against this decision.