The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 11 Jul 2007

11.07.2007 ‘Supolnasts’ to Be Liquidated?

Center Supolnasts, registered by the Ministry of Justice as Minsk city public association, faces liquidation. The liquidation trial is appointed on Friday, 13 July.

11.07.2007 Criminal Case against Youth Activist Yaraslau Hryshchenia Prolonged for 2 More Months

The youth activist Yaraslau Hryshchenia was summonsed to Baranavichy district prosecutor’s office. The investigator Yuliya Askaldovich informed him that the criminal case against him was prolonged for 2 more months. Mr. Hryshchenia is suspected in violating article 193 of the Criminal Code, ‘activity on behalf of unregistered organization’. On Friday analogical case against another youth activist, Ivan Shyla, was passed to court. Most probably, Shyla will be judged in August.

11.07.2007 Break till 25 July Announced in Lukashou’s Case

Today at 11.30 a.m. a verdict on Kanstantsin Lukashou’s case was to have been read. We should remind that yesterday the state accuser demanded to sentence Mr. Lukashou to 2 years of conditional imprisonment.

11.07.2007 Hrodna: ‘Young Front’ Activist Detained for Handing out Newspapers

Hrodna police detained the Young Front activist Andrei Ihnatchyk for handing out the registered newspaper Nasha Slova featuring materials about reconstruction of the city. As the newspaper had the state registration, they soon had to release him. Andrei came to Hrodna from Minsk in order to support defenders of the Old Town who protest against its ruining sanctioned by Hrodna authorities.

11.07.2007 Official of Presidential Administrative Charged with Fraud and Bribery

On 30 June Uladzimir Kholad, the first deputy chair of the main ideological council, the chair of the council for coordination of the ideological work of the presidential administration, was detained as a suspect.

11.07.2007 Goods Confiscated from Entrepreneurs

Homel regional organization of the Belarusian trade union of workers of different forms of private business Sadruzhnasts addressed deputy head of Homel regional executive committee Uladzimir Mayorau on the occasion of mass confiscations of goods from entrepreneurs. It is said in the address that administrative penalties imposed on Homel entrepreneurs, which has gained regional scale recently, stipulates for social tension among businessmen.

11.07.2007 Political Prisoner Artur Finkevich Threatened with New Criminal Case

The head of Mahiliou special commandant’s office, lieutenant colonel Aliaksandr Lamaza reminded Artur Finkevich that he is a malicious violator of discipline, and a criminal action can be brought up against him, and a place of detention can be changed.

11.07.2007 Hrodna: Exhibition of Artist Napaleon Orda Banned

The plain-air Following Napaleon Orda’s Route which was held at the Hrodna exhibition hall was supposed to be concluded by the today’s exhibition. But it happened so that the organizers were obliged to look for another place. It was a planned event approved by the Hrodna city executive committee half a year ago, but ideological problems have obviously sprung up.

11.07.2007 Authorities Try to Disperse Summer Camp of Evangelic Christians

The chief ideologist of Valozhyn district executive committee has ordered to hold up the camp set up by the evangelists, and to present a list of everyone who resides there. Lawyers consider the order unreasonable and illegal. The camp was organized by the Jesus Christ Church community of Religious Association of Christians of the Full Gospel.

11.07.2007 Organizers of Belarusian Folk-Singers’ Concert Can Be Fined

The organizers of the 23 June concert of bardic music which hosted a range of well-known singers including Andrei Melnikau, Zmitser Bartosik, Valzhyna Tsiareschanka, Zmitser Vinahradau and the beginner Yauhen Valoshyn, were summoned to the local taxes and duties inspectorate.