BPF Vitsebsk members complain to Prosecutor's Office of city architect chief

The statement submitted by local office of the Belarusian Popular Front deals with the scheduled construction of the so-called Palace of Ceremonies. The decision to build it in the historical center is deemed as illegal by the BPF activists. And they see it as a violation of the rights of citizens, since such projects are not submitted for public discussion, and made “behind the scenes and in a manner far from being transparent.”

The letter signed by the chairman of BPF’s Vitsebsk regional office Leanid Autukhou was sent on January 17 to the Prosecutor's Office of the city’s Chyhunachny District. It argues that “the main architect of Vitsebsk blatantly ignores legal provisions on the protection of the historic center of the city, by approving the construction on the territory of former Lower Castle so-called Palace of Ceremonies.” It also stresses that “the construction plans are not submitted for broad public debate”. Therefore, the party members urge the prosecuting authorities to check all the projected objects of Vitsebsk for compliance with the law on the protection of historical heritage.