The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 23 Mar 2011

23.03.2011 More detentions outside Minsk Maskouski Court

Four persons – youth activists Zmitser Khvedaruk, Andrus Tychyna and Illia Shyla, as well as another unidentified teenager – were detained outside Minsk Maskouski District Court at about 5 p.m.

23.03.2011 Barysau activist questioned and warned

On 23 March, Barysau activist Maksim Maroz was questioned by local police. The activist was asked about Barysau resident Aliaksandr Malchanau, convicted of involvement in the 19 December 2010 mass riot.

23.03.2011 Hrodna police issue numerous warnings to local pro-dem activists ahead of Freedom Day

At least eight Hrodna pro-democratic activists have been warned by the city police about possible prosecution for involvement in the 25 March Freedom Day celebrations in Minsk.

23.03.2011 Judge Shykarou fines Vitsebsk activist Khamaida for third time

On 23 March, Vitsebsk opposition activist Barys Khamaida was fined BYR 1,050,000 for allegedly arranging an unauthorized picket in the city center. This is Khamaida’s third fine within a month on the similar charges pronounced by the same judge Uladzislau Shykarou of Vitsebsk Chuhynachny Court.

23.03.2011 Concise analytical review of the trial of Zmitser Dashkevich and Eduard Lobau: Day 1

On 22 March 2011, Minsk Maskouski District Court hosted the trial of the Young Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich and the organization’s Minsk city office head Eduard Lobau. The activists face charged of malicious hooliganism (Par. 3 Art. 339 of the Criminal Code), namely an attack on two persons, allegedly committed on 18 December 2010. They are also accused of using a crow-bar during the attack.

23.03.2011 “Impregnable” Prosecutor Vasilevich

“Activities on behalf of a political party, public association, religious organization or foundation, that has failed to undergo a state registration procedure, violate the legislation of the Republic of Belarus”, repeatedly state official replies by Prosecutor General to Viasna’s leader Ales Bialiatski.

23.03.2011 Minsk prosecuting officials admit violation of search procedures

Human rights defender Vital Amialkovich received a reply by Minsk City Prosecutor’s Office, admitting violations of legal procedures during a search at his apartment in early January 2011.

23.03.2011 Minsk court convicts activists for picket of solidarity with Dashkevich and Lobau

Minsk Maskouski Court sentenced youth activists Ivan Shyla and Ryhor Astapenia to 13 and 10 days of administrative arrest respectively for arranging a picket of support for Zmitser Dashkevich and Eduard Lobau outside the court building on 22 March.

23.03.2011 Babruisk activists detained for 25 March leaflets

Babruisk police detained four local activists – Volha Pimanava, Taisia Kabanchuk, Halina Smirnova and Maksim Ryzhkevich – as they were distributing leaflets advertising the forthcoming 25 March celebrations.

23.03.2011 Opposition activists forced to sign obligations of non-involvement in 25 March events

Homel policemen force opposition activists to provide written obligations not to participate in the Freedom Day celebrations on 25 March.

23.03.2011 Rechytsa human rights defender harassed ahead of 25 March

On 22 March, Rechytsa human rights defender Valery Putsitski received a written warning of possible prosecution for involvement in unauthorized events during the forthcoming 25 March Freedom Day celebrations.

23.03.2011 Prosecutor General bans inspection of detention conditions at KGB prison

A number of Vitsebsk civil activists have been refused to carry out an inspection of detention conditions at the KGB Minsk pre-trial prison, after their appeal to the Prosecutor General of Belarus was redirected to Minsk City Prosecutor’s Office.