Picket on anniversary of disappearance of Hanchar and Krasouski banned in Brest

• 17.12.2008, 10:03

On December 16, the court of the Leninski district of Brest dismissed a complaint of a group of democratic forces activists against a ban of the city executive committee to hold a picket dedicated to the anniversary of disappearance of Viktar Hanchar and Anatol Krasouski.

The activist planned to hold a picket on September 16 in the city center at a pedestrian part of Pushkinskaya Street. The local executive officers didn’t authorise the picket explaining that such actions must be held on Lokomotiv Stadium.

Human rights activist Raman Kislyak, applicant for the picket, and possible participants Zmitser Shymanski, Volha Vakulenka, Syarhei Vakulenka, Uladzimir Krasko, Viktar Klimus, and Yauhen Sashko, appealed to court against that decision as they found it unjust and violating their right for peaceful assemblies and free expression.

“We are not surprised with the court decision,” R. Kislyak told BelaPAN. “For the fifth time since June, this court instance has dismissed an appeal of democratic activists against bans of pickets in Brest, planned to be held outside the stadium.”

According to R. Kislyak, a decision of the district court will appealed against in a higher court. “We go on applying for such pickets in the city center, because it is at least illogical to express our views and attract attention of public in solitary place behind the high fence,” the human rights activist said.