State earns money on freedom of assembly: Baranavichy public utilities require about 1 mln roubles for cleaning the territory after a picket

Baranavichy housing and utilities require a payment of about 1 million Belarusian roubles for cleaning after a picket. It follows from the contract, concluded with this agency by the trade union activist Ryhor Hryk. The agreement says that the cost of the work performed on cleaning-up (three cleaners working for two hours) is determined by the Contractor in accordance with the pricelist and is 971,555 roubles.

“Today's price for cleaning the area is almost ten times higher than it used to be. What do I have to pay for, if the place the authorities have designated for mass events is unfrequented by people and there is no garbage there? I need to pay even more to the medics and police for their services. I am a worker in a shopping centre, earning 2 million roubles a month. According to these contracts, I need to give my entire wage for serving the picket. What for would I live then?” inquires Mr. Hryk.

The activist is convinced that by such prices the city government seeks to prevent the conduct of civil actions and limit social and political activity of citizens.