Hrodna authorities ban picket in support of political prisoners

Hrodna human rights defenders Viktar Sazonau and Raman Yurhel will not be able to hold a picket of solidarity with Belarusian prisoners of conscience, after their application was dismissed by local executive authorities.

The picket that was expected to be held on 8 March was banned due to the applicants’ reported failure to meet the necessary security demands.

“I do not understand which demands have been neglected. The Constitution guarantees the right, while officials keep inventing new requirements. The picket was scheduled for the authorized location and the application was submitted in due time. I think that local officials simply dare not authorize an event related to political prisoners”, says Viktar Sazonau.