The city authorities prevented human rights activists from picketing under a vain pretext: the potential picketers failed to specify whether they would use “pyrotechnic products and naked lights” during the event.
Viktar Sazonau, Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Raman Yurgel were going to inform city people of the situation with capital punishments in our country on October 10, the World Day against the Death Penalty. “This time the city officials did meet some legal requirements having sent their decision in due time. But their justification of denial of holding a picket is absolutely absurdal,” Viasna human rights centre website says.
According to the official letter signed by Alena Ahey, deputy head of Hrodna city executive committee, the applicants did not make special mention of possible use of open fire in the course of the action. Secondly, “taking into account opinions of Lenin district directorate of interior, Hrodna housing and utility sector and emergency ward, the executive committee ruled that the applicants were unable to comply with legislative demands”.
Uladzimir Khilmanovich described the letter as “a denial written with sheer cynicism”.
