The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for October 2011

31.10.2011 Former political prisoner Malchanau and his friend face criminal charges

Former prisoner of conscience Aliaksandr Malchanau and his friend Andrei Nikalayeuski have been charged with disrespect to the state symbols (Article 370 of the Criminal Code) for alleged staining several state flags with paint in the center of Barysau on 26 October.

31.10.2011 Minsk courts convict activists

Several activists have been convicted over alleged disorderly conduct by Minsk courts this afternoon, including Right Alliance member Yury Karetnikau (sentenced to 10 days of administrative arrest) and European Belarus activist Mikhail Yermaliuk (5 days of arrest).

28.10.2011 Valiantsin Stefanovich appeals tax fine

Deputy chair of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Valiantsin Stefanovich has lodged an appeal against a fine imposed on him by Minsk Patryzanski District Tax Inspection.

28.10.2011 Judge to consider Ales Bialiatski’s pre-trial release

Uladzimir Saikouski, head of the department for the supervision over the implementation of tax and customs legislation of Minsk City Prosecutor’s Office, has redirected the complaint by Homel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka to Judge Siarhei Bandarenka of Minsk Pershamaiski District Court who is going to preside at the upcoming trial of Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski.

28.10.2011 Court bans Bialiatski’s meeting with wife

Minsk court has not authorized Ales Bialiatski’s meeting with his wife ahead of the trial he is to stand on 2 November, Radio Racyja reports.

28.10.2011 District court upholds disbarment of lawyer for former presidential candidates

A judge of the Maskowski District Court in Minsk on Friday rejected lawyer Tamara Sidarenka's appeal against her disbarment.

28.10.2011 Pavel Sevyarynets may have his «restricted freedom» sentence softened

Opposition politician Pavel Sevyarynets may have his sentence of "restricted freedom" and corrective labor softened.

28.10.2011 Prosecuting authorities persist in impotence

Orsha pro-democratic activists will never be allowed holding a mass event in the town, suggests another reply by local prosecutor’s office, received by human rights defenders Vasil Leuchnakau and Vasil Berasneu.

28.10.2011 Barysau police raid apartment of Malchanau’s friend

The private apartment of Andrei Nikalayeuski, friend of former political prisoner Aliaksandr Malchanau, was searched by Barysau police last night.

28.10.2011 Another search at former political prisoner’s apartment

On 27 October, Barysau police raided the apartment of former prisoner of conscience Aliaksandr Malchanau; this was a second search at his residence in 24 hours.

28.10.2011 Homel activist convicted in secret trial

On 27 October, Homel Savetski District Court sentenced local activist Illia Mironau to 10 days of administrative arrest for involvement organizing the People’s Assembly scheduled for 12 November.

28.10.2011 Lawlessness of Hrodna court officers

On 19 October, Hrodna court officers broke into the private apartment of Mikhail Vasiliyeu, participant of a “silent protest” of 3 July, to seize property referring to his failure to pay a fine imposed for involvement in the unauthorized rally.

28.10.2011 UNHCHR invited to visit Belarus

Belarus has sent an invitation to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) to visit the country, BelTA reports with reference to the UN news service.

27.10.2011 Photofact: Ales Bialiatski’s empty chair at Observatory’s Annual Report 2011 presentation in New York on 24 October

Ales Bialiatski’s empty chair during the presentation of Annual Report 2011 by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in New York on 24 October.

27.10.2011 Participants of 26 October protest convicted

Minsk Leninski District Court has considered the administrative charges brought against the participants of yesterday’s picket of solidarity with political prisoners staged in Minsk’s Kastrychnitskaya Square.