Did Minsk city executive committee unlawfully ruin monument of international value?

Monument of XIX century architecture – a residential building in Classicism style with eclectic elements in Revalutyonnaya Street, 17 in Minsk, was ruined without a permission of the Ministry of Culture.

It is said in an answer of deputy minister of culture Uladzimir Hrydzyushka to a letter of Anton Astapovich, head of the Belarusian Voluntary Society of History and Culture Monuments Protection, BelaPAN reports.

The letter namely says the building was unlawfully ruined according to a decision of the Minsk city executive committee of 29 February 2008.

The unique two-storey building with decorated facade, enrolled on the list of historical and cultural property of the Republic of Belarus, was demolished on 14 March. This building was on a final stage of restoration. However, OOO TaPas of the building office No. 2 of OAO Stroitrest No. 7 ruined the monument of the national architecture. A complex of office buildings is planned to be constructed on this site. A procuracy check was set upon the building ruining.

A. Astapovich noted that the facts, mentioned in the letter, conflict the reality. According to him, contractor Stroitrest No. 7 couldn’t ruin an architecture monument without having a package of necessary documents, including permission of the Ministry of Culture. “Stroitrest No. 7 has this document, I’ve made it sure myself. But I wasn’t allowed to copy it,” A. Astapovich said.