The local authorities barred activists from protesting against the ban on peaceful assembly in the Belarusian city of Homiel.
Homiel resident Mikalai Pyashko and his associates were seeking to hold a rally in the city centre; their goal was to draw public attention to the prohibition on peacefully gathering.
The officials refused to authorise the event referring to the fact that the organiser had not written down his phone number in the application, gomelsping reports. They also stressed that the activists would not be able to take measures aimed at ensuring public order.
Since last year, anyone who would like to stage a mass event in Belarus has been obliged to sign contracts with the police, paramedics, cleaning workers as well as pay out of their own pocket for the services provided during the event.
