Militia dispersed action of environmental protectors in Hrodna (Photo)

Militia officers forcefully dispersed a street action, demanding to stop tree cutting.

Workers of Zelenstroi began to cut limes and maples in Hrodna district Swiss Valley today morning. Teacher and local historian Ihar Lapekha, activist of the “For Freedom” movement Eduard Dzmukhouski, and Nadzeya Krapuivina, living in the district, took to street to defend the trees.

They think the trees are vigorous, and they were cut down unlawfully. Ihar and Nadzeya sat down under the remaining trees to stop cutting. In response they were shown regulations, allowing to destroy three maples and six limes. It was signed by the head of city inspection of nature resources and environment protection, director of Hrodna City Housing Services enterprise, and director of Hrandazelnstroi – an organisation earning money for cutting trees. The director of Hrodna College of Public Sevices, which has the trees on its books, asked to cut them down, Euroradio reports.

He thinks that old people may fall down on students. Besides, trees humidify the facade, which has recently been repaired. The college paid 2,300,000 Belarusian rubles for cutting trees. Militia was called to the sites. The ecology protectors were asked to leave the site and send their complaints to a prosecutor’s office. They said a letter has already been sent to the prosecutor’s office.

As none of them left the site, militia forcefully guarded the protesters to militia cars.