Authorities ban rally to mark Slutsk Uprising anniversary

The Slutsk district executive committee did not permit a rally in Slutsk on November 29.

The relevant answer was sent to Vital Adamovich, the head of the BPF's city department.

The authorities say the square near the Slutsk Regional History Museum cannot be used for mass events. Officials note the only place for rallies is the city stadium. Memory events were banned in other places relating to the Slutsk Uprising – the villages of Hrozava, Siamonava and Vyzna.

“The reasons for the ban are far-fetched. The authorities don't demonstrate their consistency. The place near the regional history museum is used for mass events regularly. Last year, participants of the rally organised by the BPF Party walked from the the city stadium to the museum, where CCP-BPF party had their rally. The last time when the events to mark the Slutsk Uprising anniversary were banned was in 2012. Taking into account the prosecution of participants and organisers of the recent opposition rallies (Dziady in Minsk and Brest, paying tribute to participants of January Uprising of 1863) and numerous arbitrary detentions and arrests of activists, I can make a conclusion that the authorities have begun preparations for the 2015 election campaign. My forecast is that such measures to suffocate all displays of activism will tightened ahead of the elections,” BPF Party head Aliaksei Yanukevich said.