Baranavichy police fail to identify wreath burners

Civil society activist Viktar Syrytsa has received a reply from the Baranavichy City Police Department, signed by the head of the public security division, lieutenant-colonel Aliaksei Trafimau.

The activist is informed that a criminal case under Article 17.1 (disorderly conduct) has been brought on the fact of burning a wreath near the memorial cross to victims of Stalinist repressions at the intersection of Smalenskaya and Pirahou Streets.

According to the letter, the police have questioned the people living in Pirahou and adjacent streets, checked all previously convicted persons and those who engage in antisocial way of life. Despite this, they failed to establish the identity of the person who had burned the wreath. Therefore, the case was closed on the basis of paragraph 2 part 1 of Article 10:26 Process-Executive Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus.

“Of course, it is a pity that the protractors haven't been found and punished, as impunity leads to new offenses. However, we will become more vigilant and will continue taking care of the territory near the Cross of Stalin's victims: remove the garbage at the adjacent territory, plant flowers, light candles in memory of the innocent victims. People need to know that the Soviet prison “Kryvoye Kola” was located there, where Stalin's punishers shot our compatriots,” said Mr. Syrytsa.