Protestants Stop Hunger Strike

30.10.2006.

On October 28 believers from “New Life” Church received a response from the Supreme Economic Court. It says that the supervisory committee protested against the decision of Minsk Economic court. According to its verdict, the city transferred 35 million BYR (Ariund 18 thousand USD) to “New Life”s account as reimbursement for the building, while the building was given to the city. As the decision came into force, the believers decided to temporarily stop the hunger strike. However, they will stay in their building 24/7. They claim, they will continue their protest action until the problem is solved.
Charter’97 reports, on Saturday representatives of NGOs and art and culture figures gathered in the Church building on the proposal of the initiative group to create a Civic Council for rescue of the believers. The Church pastor Viachaslau Hancharenka expressed gratitude for support and pointed out that the authorities had ignored the protest action. The authorities failed to provide for medical observation of the hunger-strikers and concealed information about the hunger-strike from public. Viachaslau Hancharenka said information about the Church broadcasted by STV channel was slanderous.
Despite the protest of the supervisory commission of the Supreme Economic Court, legally the previous decision is still in force. The date of revising the case will be appointed during 30 days. During that period believers may be violently pushed out of the building at any moment. That is why the protesters continue their action: people will stay in the building day and night, the security guards will be on duty.