Vitsebsk prosecuting authorities warn local pro-dem activists ahead of 19 December rally

Vitsebsk pro-democratic activists Khrystafor Zhaliapau, Aliaksei Haurutsikau and Yan Dziarzhautsau have received official warnings issued by the Regional Prosecutor’s Office following their application for a demonstration to commemorate the 2010 post-election protest scheduled on 19 December 2011.

The prosecuting authorities say the activists may face administrative charges in case Mass Events Act is violated.

“We applied to demonstrate in solidarity with political prisoners. The application was dismissed on standard grounds, namely we have failed to sign contracts for police, medical and housing maintenance of the rally. This is not the first time we are facing a ban: we have not been allowed holding a single event since the beginning of the year. Now they issue a prosecutor’s warning, as they must be aware that we are not going to abandon our plans”, says Mr. Haurutsikau, election agent of former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich.