Rally in support of political prisoner Ales Byalyatski banned in Homel

A street action was planned in Homel on August 4. The aim of the action was to protest against criminal harassment of human rights defender Ales Byalyatski and other political prisoners. The city authorities did not allow the action on the grounds that an underground pedestrian passage and the city executive committee's building were located on the route of the rally. Moreover, the officials said there were paid agreements between the organizers and the police, ambulance and communal services, reports human rights group spring96.org.

Human rights defender Ales Byalyatski was sentenced to 4.5 years in high-security prison and confiscation of property back in 2011. He was accused of tax evasion. Mr Byalyatski had foreign bank accounts, but he spent the money on human rights activities. The European Union, the United States, international and local human rights activists regard Mr Bialiatski as a political prisoner and demand his immediate release. Mr Byalyatski is serving his term in a Babruisk colony.