Anzhalika Borys tried for organizing a concert

12.05.2008. Tags: administrative trials, political persecution, Union of Poles, national minorities.
Source: Charter`97.

A chair of the Union of Poles in Belarus Anzhalika Borys faces an administrative penalty for organizing a concert of the Polish band Lombard in Brest.

The gig of the well-known Polish band was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of foundation of the Union of Poles, the Polish radio informs.

The main organizer of the show was the General Consulate of Poland to Hrodna, the Union of Poles in Belarus being a co-organizer of the show.

A week was enough for Hrodna police to conclude that the event was unsanctioned. Though during the concert itself policemen were not raising claims against Anzhalika Borys or musicians. Instead, they were listening to the music of Lombard with interest.

Inesa Todryk, an activist of the Union of Poles from Hrodna:

‘For about a month the authorities refused to give premises for organizing a concert. In such a big city as Hrodna there was no place to organize the concert. Even the Polish Consulate tried to find premises, but to no avail. That is why the concert took place at the territory of a private firm near the consulate. Policemen and KGB officers were at the concert, and nobody interfered. The concert took place without problems. And now it turns out that the chairman of the Union of Poles is to be responsible for staging the event. We hope it will be a fine, not an arrest.’

Bear in mind that article 23.34 of the Administrative Code (organizing or active participation in unauthorized mass action) provides a fine or a 15-day arrest as penalties. The date of the trial over Anzhalika Borys is still unknown.