Prosecutors “washing hands” of Orsha HR defenders’ case

Orsha prosecuting authorities have evaded providing legal assessment to a human rights picket banned by local executive officials; they suggested addressing the court, instead.

Numerous attempts to stage an authorized picket proved to be useless, after the applications submitted by local human rights defenders Vasil Leuchankau and Vasil Berasneu were dismissed by the town executive committee, who referred to the applicants’ failure to conclude a contract with local law enforcement agencies. At the same time, the police refused to do so, saying there were no vacant employees to guard the picket.