The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for January 2011

28.01.2011 Another suspect in mass riot case

Uladzimir Yaromenak, activist of the Young Front opposition movement, has been declared another suspect in the 19 december mass riot criminal case. The activist is currently in custody at the KGB pre-trial prison.

28.01.2011 Mikhalevich’s election agent dismissed from work

Kanstantsin Lukashou, election agent of former presidential candidate Ales Mikhalevich, has been dismissed from work at Geochemistry Laboratory of the National Academy of Sciences.

28.01.2011 Artsiom Hrybko – 37th accused in mass riot criminal case

Artsiom Hrybko has been officially charged for participation in the 19 December protest rally. Thus the total number of accused in the mass riot criminal case has reached 37 persons.

27.01.2011 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders urges Belarusian authorities to refrain from harassing human rights defenders

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus.

27.01.2011 Journalist Vaskovich’s term of detention prolonged for two months

Babruisk journalist of the “Babruisk Courier” newspaper Yauhen Vaskovich’s term of detention has been prolonged for two months. He was detained in Mahileu on January 17. His mother was informed that he had been arrested for 10 days for an act of hooliganism he was said to have committed on January 16. It became known that a criminal case was started against him later, reports Radio Liberty.

27.01.2011 HR defender Stefanovich invited for conversation to KGB

Today, human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich was invited for a conversation to KGB Minsk office. The activist refused the meeting, since there was no summons.

27.01.2011 Mahiliou police detain civil activist Niahatsin

According to Mahiliou human rights defender Barys Bukhel, local police detained civil activist Siarhei Niahatsin.

27.01.2011 Sannikau’s election agent questioned by Belarusian counterreconnaissance

Belarusian counterreconnaissance officials seem to be paying more and more attention to the investigation of the 19 December events, as another opposition activist, former election agent of presidential candidate Andrei Sannikau, Artsiom Starykau was questioned this morning.

27.01.2011 Uladzimer Kobets released from KGB prison

On 26 January, Uladzimer Kobets, former campaign chief of Andrei Sannikau, was released from the KGB prison on recognizance not to leave.

26.01.2011 UN Committee registers claim of Belarusian human rights activists

The United Nations Committee on Human Rights has registered and taken into consideration the claim on violation of the freedom of associations in Belarus. A human rights activist Aleh Volchak has informed this, reports BelaPAN.

26.01.2011 First cases on "mass disturbances" to be transferred to court in beginning of February

The first cases of participants of the December 19 action in Minsk will be transferred to the court in the beginning of February. The Minister of Internal Affairs Anatol Kuliashou has informed this at the press-conference in Minsk.

26.01.2011 Three more accused in mass riot case

Three more persons, Dzmitry Bulanau, Aliaksnadr Kviavtkevich and Vasil Parfiankou have been officially charged with participation in the 19 December mass riot. In total, there are 36 persons accused in the criminal case.

26.01.2011 Mass searches in Homel

Today, Homel KGB searched the office shared by local pro-democratic forces. Simultaneously, KGB officers searched the residences of local activists Vasil Paliakou and Leanid Sudalenka.

26.01.2011 Russian national may be deprived of Belarusian residence permit for participation in mass riots

On 24 January, the mother of Ivan Gaponov, who is facing criminal charges for participation in the 19 mass riots, was told her son might be deprived of Belarusian residence permit.

26.01.2011 KGB warns Homel student of criminal prosecution for participation in illegal rallies

On 25 January, Homel student Ruslan Nikitsenka was warned of possible criminal prosecution for participation in illegal rallies during a conversation at local KGB office.