18.09.2009 EU condemns crackdown on September 16 rally and violence against opposition in Belarus

Sweden which is the country presiding in the European Union has made a statement slamming crackdown on the peaceful rally of solidarity in Minsk dedicated to the 10th anniversary of opposition leaders’ abduction.

"The Presidency urges the Belarusian authorities to refrain from the use of force in dealing with peaceful demonstrations and to ensure that representatives of independent media are able to perform their tasks without interference," Sweden, holder of the rotating presidency, said in a statement on Thursday, as quoted by the website of “European Belarus” movement.

18.09.2009 Journalists protest against riot policemen’s lawlessness at opposition rallies

The Belarusian Association of Journalists expresses its protest against harsh interference to professional activities during the rallies on September 16 and 9.

As noted in the statement of the organisation, on September 16 in the evening law-enforcers used force interfering Belarusian and foreign journalists to shoot the events during the rally in commemoration of disappearances of politicians Viktar Hanchar and Anatol Krasouski 10 years ago. “People in plainclothes acted rudely, closing the lenses of cameras, with the risk to damage equipment and hurt journalists, pushed them away from the scene of events, though journalists had identity documents of their editorial offices,” the BAJ statement underlines.

18.09.2009 New political soldier: Yauhen Skrabets taken to army forcibly

A “Young Front” activist from Brest will start service since September 21.

The young activist was given a call to come to the collecting point. On September 21 he is sent to the military unit near Mahilyou. Yauhen Skrabets will serve in railway troops, Radio Svaboda informs.

As we have informed, the military enlistment office started a “hunt” against Brest Young Front member, including his abduction by the unknown, and forcible putting him in a hospital.

Despite of the fact that the young man has a serious back problem, which does not allow him to go to the army, a repeat medical board called on demand of the military enlistment office, found him able-bodied.