26.03.2008 Trials on March 26th end

Savetski, Zavadski, Maskouski, and Partyzanski courts of Minsk finished trials over participants of the celebration of peaceful rally detained on March 25th. The courts considered 75 administrative cases, 26 of which ended with arrests. The judges gave from 5 to 15 days of jail to the action participants. Two trials are postponed for March 27th (the cases against journalist Andrei Liankevich and Zmitser Yasevich). Two of the detained – Yaraslau Hryshchenia and Yuras Karetnikau – are receiving medical treatment. In general, about 20 people received injuries.

26.03.2008 Ukrainian embassy can’t find its citizen detained yesterday

Ukrainian consul U. Serdeha told Radio Racyja, the Ukrainian embassy was looking for its citizen. The young man was not found in Maskouski court where, according to the Ministry of Information, he was supposed to be brought.

Ukrainian citizen Yury Biriuk was detained yesterday during the action Freedom Day 2008, together with other action participants. After the detention he was taken to Akrestsina jail.

Today in the morning Ukrainian consul U. Serdeha and lawyer of the international human rights organization A. Dzemidovich came to Maskouski court to defend the Ukrainian citizen.

26.03.2008 Million roubles for graffiti

In Hrodna Aliaksei Sarnou who wrote “return benefits” on a wall was fined 25 basic units (1, 225, 000 BYR or about 600 dollars)

26.03.2008 Trials over participants of peaceful action in Baranavichy end

Yesterday the police detained a group of 14 civic activists on their way to lay flowers to the Cross of Suffering in Baranavichy. All of them were brought to the local police station. Two teenagers were released. It was expected that the police would releasr two activists with poor health condition – disabled Ales Shcharbakou and Uladzimir Housha. However, the policemen left them in the detention center together with the others. One of them, Ales Shcharbakou, felt really bad. An ambulance came in an hour after the call. As a result the activist was taken to hospital. Loval human rights defender Siarhei Housha told Viasna, the participants of yesterday’s action received the following sentences:

26.03.2008 Trials over detained activists continue (updated)

Minsk courts are busy with trials over the activists detained during the peaceful rally yesterday. The rally was to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic 1. Adamovich (Zavodski court, fined 30 basic units, judge Alena Laptseva) 2. Afnahel, Yauhen (Savetski police department severely beaten, Savetski court, judge Aksana Reliava, 10 days of jail) 3. Akimau, Vital (Savetski police department, Savetski court, 15 days of jail)