MINSK -- The Belarus Supreme Court has upheld a Justice Ministry decision not to register a youth opposition movement, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports.
Young Belarus movement leader Zmitser Kaspyarovich said the organization is officially registered in neighboring Lithuania. But according to Belarusian law, any movement operating in the country should be registered by the Justice Ministry.
If a movement isn't registered in Belarus its activities are deemed illegal and its members can be charged with "participation in the activities of a nonregistered organization."
The Justice Ministry has repeatedly refused to register the Young Belarus movement. The organization had appealed to the Supreme Court in an attempt to overrule the decision.
Young Belarus movement leader Zmitser Kaspyarovich said the organization is officially registered in neighboring Lithuania. But according to Belarusian law, any movement operating in the country should be registered by the Justice Ministry.
If a movement isn't registered in Belarus its activities are deemed illegal and its members can be charged with "participation in the activities of a nonregistered organization."
The Justice Ministry has repeatedly refused to register the Young Belarus movement. The organization had appealed to the Supreme Court in an attempt to overrule the decision.
