Minsk Court turns down complaint against picket ban

Minsk Maskouski Court has dismissed a complaint against a ban on holding a picket imposed by the city executive committee. The picket’s objective was to draw public attention to mass violations of criminal and procedural legislation, including groundless detentions of civil activists in early September 2010.

The ban referred to alleged ‘obstacles to pedestrians and road traffic.’ An official, representing the city authorities, said the refusal was steered by Minsk police.