Smarhon court upholds ban on picket of solidarity with political prisoners

On 27 August, Judge Alina Kindra of Smarhon District Court dismissed a complaint by local human rights defender Ales Dzerhachou, who appealed a ban on holding a picket of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners imposed by chairman of the district’s executive committee Mechyslau Hoi.

The picket was banned on the ground that in his application the activist said he undertook the responsibilities of maintaining public order during the event. Meanwhile, according to the official it is the police that should secure public order during mass events, as stipulated by the Council of Ministers’ Decree of March 5, 2012.

During the court hearing, Ales Dzerhachou argued that the procedure is not regulated by any legal acts.

The ban is aid to be appealed at the Hrodna Regional Court.