Rally in Support of Parliamentary Election Boycott Banned in Northern Belarus

Text of report in English by Belarusian privately-owned news agency Belapan

Minsk, 16 September: Polatsk activists of a youth opposition group called Young Front have been denied permission to stage a demonstration on 20 September as part of the group’s campaign for a boycott of the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

As Ales Krutkin, who filed the application, told BelaPAN, the city government explains that films for children will be screened in a nearby movie theatre at the time and the demonstration would disturb the audience.

“Since this is a clear violation of regulations, we have already filed complaints with the Polatsk city executive committee, the local election commission and the central election commission, and may also complain to the OSCE observation mission,” Krutkin said.

Originally published by Belapan news agency, Minsk, in English 1415 16 Sep 08.

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