Mahiliou KGB reluctant to discriminate in the case of "Slavonic March" organization

The decision to authorize the "Slavonic March" is beyond our competence – this is the answer received by the deputy head of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) Ihar Barysau from the deputy head of the Mahiliou Region KGB Bureau Savienka.

Meanwhile, the human rights defender Barys Bukhel states that the security services shall pay a close attention to this case:

"It's not a secret that Dzenisenka and Co. who took part in the "Slavonic March" share pro-Russian views and stand for a union of Slavs – Belarusians, Ukraians and Russians. This presents a danger to the territorial integrity of Belarus. That's why here this state organ showed incompetency, as far as its first and foremost duty is to protect the independence of our country. At the same time, KGB uses Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, "Illegal organization of activities of public associations, religious organizations or funds or participation in their activities", against some activists of the democratic movement.

First of all, this article contradicts to the Constitution. Secondly, its use by the KGB is prohibited by the legislation, in particular – by Article 182 of the Criminal-Process Code. It means that KGB officers don't do what they must, but do what they must not do."

Bear in mind that following the holding of the "Slavonic March" in Mahiliou Ihar Barysau filed a number of complaints to the KGB, the Mahiliou City Executive Committee and the Presidential Administration. He asked to punish the Mahiliou ideologist Mikalai Mikhalenia for showing his incompetence by authorizing the action of pro-Russian right-wing forces. All aforementioned state organs find no reasons to punish the official, though.

Meanwhile, the police brought an administrative case against the organizer of the "Slavonic March" Dzmitry Dzenisenka, as far as some of the action participants were under age or covered their faces with kerchiefs and masks, which is prohibited by the law. The trial over him will take place on 11 January.