The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 10 Mar 2008

10.03.2008 Mikalai Autukhovich Initiates Creation of International Commission for Legal Expertise of Sentences of Belarusian Courts

Several years ago the entrepreneur Mikalai Autukhovich was found guilty in evasion from payment of taxes for transporting passengers and luggage without registration of firm, which resulted in an exceptionally large loss to the budge of the Hrodna city. On 6 June 2006 he was sentenced to 3,5 years in medium security prison with confiscation of property and deprival of the right to business for five years. On 18 January 2008 the imprisonment with replaced with corrective labor. Belarusian human rights activists consider Autukhovich a prisoner of conscience.

10.03.2008 Criminal Cases for Participation in 10 January Entrepreneurs’ Rally

Recently a criminal case has been brought on the fact of ‘organization and active participation in the actions that grossly violate the public order’ (article 342, part 1 of the Criminal Code), in connection with the peaceful action of the Belarusian entrepreneurs that was held on 10 January in the center of Minsk. The punishments on this article vary from fine to 3 years of jail. At present there are 14 accused in the case.

10.03.2008 11 March – Continuation of Trial over Organizers of European March Rally

On 11 March, at 10 a.m. the trial over the organizers of the European March rally, held on 14 October 2007, will take place at Savetski district court of Minsk. It will be already the second attempt of the judge Siarhei Barazna to hold a successful trial and read the verdict, as on 25 February the hearings were suspended because of the illness of one of the defendants.

10.03.2008 For Freedom: Third Attempt to Obtain Legal Status

Today, on 10 March, representatives of the For Freedom movement, headed by Aliaksandr Milinkevich, again passed to the Ministry of Justice a packet of documents for state registration of the NGO.

10.03.2008 Pastor of ‘New Life’ Church Fined

Maskouski district court of Minsk ruled to fine the past of the New Life Church Viachaslau Hancharenka 250 000 rubles for non-implementation of the prosecutor’s ruling.

10.03.2008 Minsk: Police Detain ‘Young Front’ Members

On 9 March the Central council of the underground organization Young Front gathered in the Serabranka suburb of Minsk, at the office of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions.

10.03.2008 'Euronews' Conceal Reasons for US Sanctions against Belarus

The Russian service of the pan-European TV channel Euronews informed about the reaction of the Belarusian population to the sanctions imposed by the US.

10.03.2008 Skrabets Brothers Declare Hunger-strike for Release of Political Prisoners

A former deputy of the Chamber of Representatives Siarhei Skrabets and his younger brother Aliaksandr have announced an indefinite hunger strike today. They demand Aliakasndr Lukashenka to release political prisoners Aliaksandr Kazulin, Andrei Kim and Siarhei Parsiukevich.