Hrodna officials keep restricting freedom of assembly

Hrodna city executive committee keeps violating the Mass Events Code by either denying local pro-democratic activists’ rights to stage pickets and meetings or failing to authorize the events in due time.

Hrodna activists of the United Civil Party were planning a series of pickets “For Free Elections Without Lukashenka” in various parts of the city on 15 May. However, the official reply was received by only one of them, Siarhei Lis. However, the ban was issued with a delay.

The other activists, in turn, learned about the bans after local policemen visited them to warn of possible administrative prosecution.