Baranavichy authorities ban picket in support of political prisoners

As it follows from a letter signed by Dz. Kastsiukevich, Deputy Chair of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee, on 13 September the committee prohibited civil activist Ryhor Hryk from holding a picket in support of political prisoners.

According to the letter, the applicant allegedly violated Article 5 of the Law On Mass Events in the Republic of Belarus. However, the essence of his «violation» is not revealed.

The activist intended to hold the action on 18 September in the old city park, under the slogan «For our and your freedom!» in order to support the political and civil activists who had been sentenced to imprisonment for participation in the protest action in the center of Minsk on 19 December.

Ryhor Hryk resolutely disagrees with the decision of the executive committee. He has a great experience in the organization of street actions and filed documents for picketing timely and in line with the legal requirements. That's why, having received the answer, he applied to the authorities with the request to explain which provisions of the law he had violated.