19.08.2009 Civil prosecution of Nasta Palazhanka stopped

According to an official list received by vice-head of the Young Front youth organization Nasta Palazhanka, she has been acquitted of charges, pertaining to the distribution of historic newsletters. The letter signed by lieutenant colonel V.Yakutovich says that the contents of the newsletters do not violate the Belarusian legislation.

19.08.2009 Prosecutor General speaks in favour of death penalty

Belarusian Prosecutor General Ryhor Vasilevich believes that grave crimes should be punished with the death penalty. ‘In 2009 2 persons have been sentenced to capital punishment in Belarus. The measure is severe, but fair,’ declared Mr.Vasilevich at a press-conference in Minsk. Speaking on the reasonableness of the verdicts, Prosecutor General said that one of them was passed to the murder of 7 elderly women in Drahichyn district, the other being the case of double murder as a result of a holdup, Interfax reports.

19.08.2009 Belarus to abolish death penalty in September?

Belarus might introduce a moratorium on the death penalty in September. Garry Pahaniaila, a lawyer from the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, reckons it will be the most conducive time.

He said: “September, because PACE and European structures in autumn will decide on whether to extend or lift sanctions against Belarus officials. It is also possible that a special-guest status would be returned to Belarus. Therefore, our authorities would like to meet some recommendations voiced by PACE and several EU officials. September is a good time to express "good will" and demonstrate Belarus' desire to implement the recommnedations of the international community".

19.08.2009 Estonian MP: European officials shouldn’t forget about kidnappings in Belarus

Silver Meikar, an Estonian MP representing the Reform Party, head of the Association in Defence of Democratic Development of Belarus, says one should adhere to principles in a dialogue with Lukashenka.

Silver Meikar wrote about this in his article on website Delfi.

As the Estonian MP wrote, Europe, that used to be an opponent of the Europe’s last dictator for a long time, has convinced in practice that isolation of the Belarusian regime has no prospects. Lukashenka was able to hold his power with Russia’s help. Then the EU chose another way – a dialogue, the way of re-education of the dictator.