In memory of Stalin terror victims: Why should Belarusians defend Kurapaty? (ENG video)

Kurapaty, a place on the outskirts of Minsk,. is not just the national memorial and a mass grave of the victims of Stalinist repression, it is a site of historical and cultural heritage.

Belsat TV has made a video explaining why every indifferent Belarusian should think of Kurapaty’s future.

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In late February, the Belarusian activists began a long-term action in defense of the memorial protesting against the construction of an office building started a few dozen meters from Kurapaty. According to them, it is fraudulent as the building permission was granted when the area was considered a protected zone.

The plot on which ‘Belrekonstruktsiya’ company undertook the construction of a four-storey business center was sold by the city authorities at the auction in 2013. In 2014 the protected zone was significantly cut. According to historian Ihar Kuznyatsou, it is highly likely that remains of the victims will be found here. KGB archives which could cast light on the burial plans are classified until now.

Belarusian Voluntary Society for Protection of Monuments appealed to the KGB and city authorities with a statement about possible corruption schemes and violations during the construction project design which is interfering with the protected zone.

On Wednesday, Andrey Shorats, chairman of Minsk city executive committee, met with a group of four people to discuss the conflict. The official promised that construction works near Kurapaty would be suspended for a week. According to politician Pavel Sevyarynets, it was a ‘battling draw’. Despite the decision, the activists refuse to displace the camp of Kurapaty defenders: they demand the construction of the business center be terminated.

After several-day protesting in Kurapaty, the developer decided to take away its building fleet. On Thursday morning, the company ordered to minimize any works and take the machines away. However, Minsk City Committee has not given up the idea to stop the construction of a business center, that is why the confrontation is not over yet.

The activists say they will be keeping the watch at the site at least until Monday. A decision on remaining or removing the protesters’ camp will be announced after today’s rally and concert.

Belsat.eu