The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for October 2011

27.10.2011 European Belarus activist questioned over Justice House arson

On 24 October, Salihorsk activist of the European Belarus opposition movement Uladzimir Lemesh was interrogated by local police in the criminal case initiated following an attack on the House of Justice in Minsk.

27.10.2011 Former political prisoner Malchanau arrested for 10 days

Barysau district court presided by Judge Mrs. Malchanava sentenced former prisoner of conscience Aliaksandr Malchanau to 10 days of administrative arrest for alleged resisting arrest.

27.10.2011 Journalist Alina Radachynskaya warned by General public prosecution

She has informed this live on air to Euroradio.

27.10.2011 Draft introducing fines for accessing forbidden websites has appeared

The fine ranges from 350 thousand to one million roubles.

27.10.2011 Three independent journalists summoned for interrogation

Three independent journalists have been summoned for interrogation to the General Prosecutor’s Office, the press-service of the Belarusian Association of Journalists reports.

27.10.2011 Activist Ilya Mironau detained in Homel on October 26

Policemen detained him when he was leaving his workplace.

27.10.2011 Supreme Court turns down complaint against construction of nuclear plant

The Supreme Court has dismissed a complaint by civil activist Mikalai Ulasevich against President Lukashenka’s Decree #418 on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Astravets district, Hrodna region, www.harodniaspring.org reports.

26.10.2011 Another protest in Minsk: detentions growing harsher

At least four participants of another picket of solidarity with political prisoners in Minsk Kastrychnitskaya Square have been detained by policemen in plain clothes.

26.10.2011 Mazyr human rights defender vs. picket ban

On 19 October, human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun has lodged a complaint with Mazyr District Court against a ban on a picket of solidarity with Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski issued by the town’s executive committee.

26.10.2011 UCP Mahiliou leader faces administrative charges

Uladzimir Shantsau, chair of Mahiliou regional office of the United Civil Party of Belarus, will stand trial for involvement in the organization of so called People’s Assembly on 8 October, following his interrogation last morning.

26.10.2011 Slonim activist fined BYR 1,400,000

Ivan Bedka, Slonim leader of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, has been fined BYR 1,400,000 for involvement in the organization of so called People’s Assembly on 8 October.

26.10.2011 Yesterday’s protesters receive 7 and 10-day terms

The detained participants of yesterday’s picket of solidarity with prisoners of conscience have stood trials at Minsk Tsentralny District Court this afternoon.

26.10.2011 Vitsebsk activists to stand trial for organizing People’s Assembly

Mmes. Iryna Yaskevich and Tatsiana Seviarynets are facing charges for alleged illegal organizing of so called People’s Assembly in Vitsebsk on 8 October. Both activists say the charges are absurd.

26.10.2011 Polish MEP calls for support of imprisoned opposition politician Bandarenka

Marek Migalski, a Polish member of the European Parliament, has called on the EP and Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, to support opposition politician Dzmitry Bandarenka who is serving a prison term in connection with last December’s post-election protest in Minsk.

26.10.2011 Russian journalist deported from Belarus

Igor Karmazin, reporter of the Moskovsky Komsomolets Russian newspaper, has been deported from Belarus after arranging a number of interviews with former Belarusian political prisoners and their families, including Mikita Likhavid and Iryna Khalip, European Radio for Belarus reports.