Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

Minsk Court Orders Rights Organization Closed

RFE/RL

The Minsk Economic Court has ordered the closure of the rights organization Platforma.

The court ruled that the organization failed to turn in tax declarations on time and was not located at the address given in Platforma's registration forms.

The head of the organization, Andrey Bandarenka, said the decision makes no sense because the organization had already paid a fine for not submitting tax declarations on time and is not involved in commercial activities.

Bandarenka said Platforma would appeal the court decision.

Platforma monitors the conditions and rights of inmates in Belarusian prisons.

Platforma was created in 2011 after Bandarenka was released from prison, where he had served almost two years for economic crimes.

With reporting by Interfax