Milinkevich urges Council of Europe to help save historic buildings in Hrodna :: Charter'97 :: News

Former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Milinkevich has urged Terry Davis, secretary general of the Council of Europe, to help save historic buildings in Hrodna.

He said in his appeal that authorities planned to demolish around 70 "valuable" buildings in the western Belarusian city as part of a project to redevelop its historic center.

"Construction work is being carried out in violation of Belarusian regulations governing the conservation of cultural heritage, with archeology fundamentals ignored," the opposition politician said. "To attempts by representatives of the intelligentsia to begin dialogue about the most optimum way of preserving Hrodna`s historic complex, authorities reply with police patrols, administrative sanctions and the defamation by the official media of alternative projects."

Mr. Milinkevich suggested organizing a broad discussion about the project with independent experts also from Europe in attendance.

He sent a copy of the appeal to Rene van der Linden, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

The previous week, builders in Hrodna completed the demolition of a building that was part of the 18th-century palace of Hrodna`s vice administrator. The demolition was condemned by local history enthusiasts as an act of vandalism.