Baranavichy authorities ban rally because the applicant has been punished by court for an administrative offense

On 7 February the Baranavichy entrepreneur and civil activist Mikalai Charnavus received a letter signed by the deputy head of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee Dz. Kastsiukevich in which it was stated that the executive committee did not authorize the rally the applicant intended to held on 12 February. As it is stated in the letter, "the persons who have been punished for violating the order of holding or organizing mass events cannot act as organizers of mass events during one year after the imposition of the administrative penalty".

"I was prohibited to hold the rally, as on 19 November the Court of the Baranavichy city and district had punished me for violation of Article 23.34, part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses by organizing a charitable dinner for homeless people at the Baranavichy market," stated Mikalai Charnavus.

Bear in mind that Mikalai Charnavus and other Baranavichy entrepreneurs wanted to hold a rally on 12 February to protest against the increase of taxes which made their business hopeless and unprofitable.