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Belarusian Party of Communists denies report about coming liquidation

The Belarusian Party of Communists (BPC) has denied a media report about its coming liquidation, BelaPAN said.

The government-controlled BelTA news agency reported on January 2 with reference to Justice Minister Viktar Halavanaw that the ministry plans to file a lawsuit seeking the closure of the BPC.

The news agency alleged that the party had failed to correct the flaws in its activities that had become the formal reason for its suspension. In particular, it said, some BPC chapters are still located at places other than their legal addresses and some chapters of the party conduct virtually no activities. Apart from this, the BPC membership list still includes deceased and incapacitated people and the party has failed to improve its membership fee registration practices, BelTA claimed.

“Maybe, the party attempted to eliminate these flaws, but the ministry has not received any proof of their correction,” Mr. Halavanaw was quoted as saying.

The news agency reported that the period of the party’s suspension was to expire on January 2.

“This information is almost completely false,” BPC Deputy Chairman Valery Ukhnalyow said in an interview with BelaPAN. “First, the period of the party’s suspension expires on February 2. Second, no official representing the justice ministry has inspected our party, our chapters so far, that’s why one may not speak about some irregularities or flaws. Third, we are required to present all documents about the elimination of the flaws that became the reason for the party’s suspension 10 days before the expiry of the suspension period and these documents will surely be sent to the justice ministry on January 21 or 22.”
The BPC has already requested the justice ministry, the Supreme Court and BelTA to provide explanations over the report and retract it. The party regards the report as a preparation for its liquidation, Mr. Ukhnalyow stressed.