Brest authorities ban another picket in support of Ales Bialiatski

The official reason for the refusal to authorize the picket was that its organizer, human rights defender Uldadzimir Vialichkin, hadn't concluded service agreements with police, medics and public utilities.

"I am convinced that this demand is senseless and violates my right to freedom of peaceful assemblies. I don't need five policemen or ambulance, and I am able to clean the ground after myself," commented Mr. Vialichkin.

At present Ales Bialiatski servces a 4,5-year prison term for the alleged non-payment of taxes from the means which had been transferred to his foreign bank accounts for human rights activities of the Human Rights Center "Viasna".