Ecologists, activists denied access to public hearings on nuclear station

Public hearings of the preliminary report on the evaluation of the environmental affects of the Belarusian nuclear power plant began in the town of Astravets. Ecolgists, scientists, civic activists, journalists from Belarus and Russia gathered in this town which is located near the planned site for the construction of the first nuclear station in Belarus. But not everyone was allowed access to the Astravets movie theater where hearings were taking place. About a dozen of activists, including Anatol Liabedzka who chairs United Civic Party, were unable to enter the hall since all seats were occupied by fake participants organized by the local authorities.