29.01.2008 Siarhei Parsiukevich beaten in Akrestsina jail

Yesterday Siarhei Parsiukevich, an entrepreneur from Vitebsk, was released from Minsk Akrestsina jail. Parsiukevich was arrested on January 10th. He says, last Monday he was beaten by a police officer. Forensim medical examination confirms, Parsiukevich has numerous bruises and injuries on his body. According to the victim, he also had marks of him being strangled, but they disappeared after a week.

Parsiukevich has asthma and a chronic stomach disease. He says he still did not apply to the law-enforcing bodies about his beating. He says he is too weak for that. The police officer who beat Parsiukevich accused the prisoner of attacking him. At that moment the prosecutor’s office is checking the facts.

On February 4th Parsiukevich is to come to Minsk to another conversation with the investigators.

29.01.2008 Entrepreneur Aliaksandar Rubchenia fined 175, 000 BYR

On Monday Savetski court of Homel found Aliaksandar Rubchenia, head of the Council of entrepreneurs of Centralny market, activist of Perspektyva, guilty of disorderly conduct and fined him 5 basic units – 175, 000 BYR.

The entrepreneur was detained by police on January 18th for alleged usage of foul language. He was taken to a pre-trial detention center, where he spent 3 days. On January 21st Rubchenia was to be tried. However, the trial was postponed in conjunction with the absence of witnesses.

29.01.2008 Entrepreneurs Tsatsura and Nasanovich detained in Salihorsk

On January 28th, about 5 p.m. entrepreneurs Aliaksandar Tsatsura and Larysa Nasanovich were detained on the central square in Salihorsk. They collected signatures of Salihorsk residents in support of small businessmen, and for withdrawal of edict #760, which prohibits entrepreneurs from hiring workers.

More than 50 people came to the building of Salihorsk district administration. The police drew up reports; the detained will have to spend the night in the pre-trial center. Tomorrow Tsatsura and Nasanovich will be tried.

28.01.2008 “Niasvizhski Chas” collects signatures

The editorial team of the regional newspaper Niasvizhski Chas collects signatures of the readers under a petition to Tatsiana Navosha, head of Niasvizh department of “Minskablsayuzdruk” state distribution company, with the request to continue the contract for selling the newspaper in the city kiosks.

28.01.2008 Entrepreneur Ales Makayeu released from jail on Sunday

Ales Makayeu, member of the Entrepreneurs’ coordination council, was released early, at 8 a.m. His term was to be officially over at 11.30 a.m. Mr. Makayeu refused to eat during all 15 days of his arrest.

28.01.2008 Entrepreneurs wait for authorities to decide

It’s a day off today at Minsk markets. Entrepreneurs hope the authorities will take certain steps to regulate the conflict soon. Entrepreneurs hope that during the week the authorities will propose a way out that would allow them to keep their jobs. They plan to continue street actions and other events if edict # 760 is not cancelled.

28.01.2008 Officers speak Belarusian with Zmitser Zhaleznichenka

Deputy Head of BPF Party Aliaksei Yanukevich and executive secretary of BPF Uladzimir Labkovich visited the military unit in Zhlobin, where Zmitser Zhaliznichenka was sent for service. Zmitser Zhaleznichenka is a member of BPF, a straight-A student, who had just been expelled from Homel State University for his political activity.

Representatives of the party leadership passed the words of support to Zmitser and learned first-hand details about the shameful detention of Zmitser on January 24th, just before he was sent to the army.

28.01.2008 BPF Youth activists detained in Vitebsk

On Sunday guys and girls in Vitebsk were handing out independent newspapers to passers-by. The police officers considered that a crime. They detained Krystyna and Viktoria Chyzh, 17, their elder sister Veranika, Artur Shykin, amd Aliaksandar Ilyinets, who chairs kastrychnitski branch of BPF party in Vitebsk.

28.01.2008 Hrodna journalist summoned to police

The editor-in-chief of the non-governmental journal «Magazyn Polski na uchodzstwie» Ihar Bantsar has been summoned to the Leninski police department of Hrodnaas a witness. The reason was not mentioned in the summons, but the journalist is convinced that it is connected with his professional activity.

26.01.2008 Hrodna road police caught human rights defender Viktar Sazonau

In the morning of January 26th officers of Hrodna road police stopped the car of the local human rights defender Viktar Sazonau

26.01.2008 Uladzimir Lyryn detain in Hrodna, UCP office searched

On Saturday afternoon police detained Uladzimir Laryn, one of the local leaders of UCP. Laryn was detained on one of the Hrodna markets. Soon he was taken to Leninski district police department of Hrodna.

25.01.2008 Human rights activist’s claim left unsatisfied

On 25 December R.Kisliak lodged a complaint with head judge of Brest Leninski Borough Court of violating his rights by one of the court’s judges.

25.01.2008 Liavonau released

Belarusian entrepreneur and political prisoner Yury Liavonau is finally released. There are no details of the event so far.

25.01.2008 Entrepreneur appeals against imprisonment

Minsk entrepreneur Aliaksandr Makaeu is going to appeal the decision of imprisonment made by Minsk City Court by January 12.

25.01.2008 Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) to be commemorated in Belarus

It will be the first time HMD is commemorated in Belarus. Several officials, ambassadors and international organizations representatives will take part in the commemoration of HMD on 27 January.