Belarus' KGB: Procession In Sapotskin Under Imperial Flags Was Held Under Law

In October 2015 Aliaksandr, a dweller of Minsk, 24, sent an enquiry to the KGB with questions about activities of Cossack organisations on the territory of Belarus.

The final straw was the procession in Sapotskin (Hrodna district), where Cossacks used Russian imperial flags.

It happened during the procession dedicated to the 101th anniversary of the miraculous appearance of the Most Holy Mother of God in Augustau woods. The black-yellow-white flags had been taken from Minsk by representatives of the organisation called Cossacks’ Savior, nn.by reports.

The black-yellow-white flag was used in the 19th century as the coat of arms flag of the Russian Empire. Today this flag is used by Russian chauvinists, those who want to merge Belarus with Russia. Border guards took part in the march as well.

“I would like to clarfy whether the use of these symbols by state agencies and military organisations conforms to the Law of Belarus. Besides, I ask to check whether the activities of the so-called “Cossacks” and actions of this kind, like the march under flags of the Russian Empire, pose threat to sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus,” – Aliaksandr wrote.

There have been no answer from the KGB (the State Security Committee) for 40 days. After that Aliaksandr addressed the Office of the Prosecutor General, and only after that the KGB had to give an answer.

The letter was signed by the first deputy head of the KGB Ihar Serheenka. The answer reads:

“We inform that the event held on 13.09.2015 in the settlement of urban type Sapotskin, Hrodna region, was held in accordance with current legislation.”

Aliaksandr is disappointed by the answer of the KGB.

“It turns out that people are punished in courts for the use of white-red-white flags and Pahonia, and not for the use of the imperial flag. I am not disturbed by the concrete situation – the march has taken place, and nothing could be done about that, but by activities of the so-called “Cossacks” in general. They are more and more interfering in the affairs of the country. And I have not received an answer to this question,” – Aliaksandr comments.