25.04.2008 Criminal charges against Young Front member dropped

Head of Homel branch of Young Front Andrus Tsianiuta received a note signed by KGB investigator D. Sidliarou saying that the criminal charges under Article 193.1 had been finally dropped. The decision is based on Article 259 part 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which provides for satisfaction of the petition of the suspect.

25.04.2008 Andrei Liubianchuk detained

Brest human rights activist Uladzimir Vialichkin reports, civic activist Andrei Liubianchuk was detained today at about 3.30 p.m. His car was stopped by road policeman Anatol Bashko for examination. He suspected that the car was stolen. The car was checked at Maskouski district police department, but the activist was not released. Probably, the police are looking for a reason to prevent Liubianchuk from participation in Chernobyl March.

25.04.2008 Uladzimir Kishkurna fined for Chernobyl flyers

On April 25th Minsk district court found BPF activist Uladzimir Kishkurna guilty of violation under Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code and fined him 15 basic units.

Uladzimir Kishkurna was detained on April 21st in his own car near kaliadzichy. The police examined the car and found flyers dedicated to the planned mass rally. In the police station they drew up a report about the offence and seized the flyers.

25.04.2008 Law-enforcement raid in Babruisk

Regional police look for potential participants of Chernobyl March

25.04.2008 Maria Tulzhankova received 7 days of jail

On April 25th navabelitski court of Homel heard the case against Maria Tulzhankova. Judge Aleh Kharoshka sentenced the participant of the historical tour around Homel to 7 days of jail.

Earlier judge Aleh Kharoshka tried other participants ofteh historical tour dedicated to the anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. He sentenced Sviataslau Shapavalau to 10 days of jail, Aliaksandar Protska – to 7 days of jail, and pensioner Uladzimir Nepomniashchy – to 15 days of jail. Other participants of the tour were fined: Ivan Adamenka – 20 basic units, Zmitser Kutasau and journalist Tatsiana Bublikava – 15 basic units each.

Let us remind the readers, on March 23rd, about 20 people with white and red balloons walked around the places related to the life of Paluta badunova, minister of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. The police videotaped the tour, and drew up reports against 8 people for violation of the order of organizing mass events.

25.04.2008 Mikalai Rasiuk detained in Mahiliou

Today Mahiliou police detained activist of the Social Democratic Party Hramada Mikalai Rasiuk. Rasiuk is a migrant from the territories contaminated after the Chernobyl disaster.

Recently he applied to Mahiliou city executive committee with the request to speak at the official rally dedicated to the 22nd anniversary of Chernobyl disaster. He was promised about 5 minutes to make a short speech. Mikalai Rasiuk wanted to speak against building of the new nuclear power plant. However, the police detained the democratic activist on his way to the rally. The police searched his belongings and found books by Sviatlana Aleksiyevich and a white-red-white scarf in his bag. Besides that, Mikalai Rasiuk was holding a wreath, which ribbons read: “From the United Democratic Opposition of Mahiliou city”.

The police took Rasiuk to a police station and let him go when the rally was over. The policemen did not explain the reason of the detention. Rasiuk believes that they wanted to prevent him from saying his speech.

25.04.2008 Siarhei Tryfanau detained in Homel

The democratic activist was traveling on business, and could not be present in court for the hearing of an administrative case against him. When he returned he was immediately detained by police and taken to police station. The activist will stay behind bars until the trial.

The police drew up reports of administrative offence under Article 23.34 (Violation of the order of organizing mass events) on participants of the historical tour dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. Seven people have already been tried, four of them were sentenced to 7-15 days of jail, and three were fined from 15 to 20 basic units. Siarhei Tryfanau is the last person who is to be tried on these charges.

25.04.2008 Protestant pastor Hancharenka fined again

On April 25th Maskouski court judge Uladzimir Audzeyenka recognized pastor of the “New Life” Church Viachaslau Hancharenka guilty of violation of Article 9.10 of the Administrative Code (Violation of the legislation about elections, referenda, about recalling of citizens and implementation of the right of legislative initiative of citizens). The pastor was fined 40 basic units (about 700 US dollars).