23.11.2011 Ales Bialiatski trial: Oral arguments (online). Verdict due on 24 November.

Judge Siarhei Bandarenka of Minsk Pershamaiski District Court has resumed the hearing of the criminal case of Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski.

23.11.2011 Valyantsin Stefanovich has two trials scheduled for December 2

Both trials will be held in the Partyzanski district court of Minsk.

23.11.2011 Babruisk organizer of People’s Assembly appeals arrest

Mrs. Halina Smirnova, Babruisk activist of the United Civil Party, has lodged a complaint against a 5-day arrest for alleged violation of mass events regulations during the organization of the People’s Assembly on 8 October.

23.11.2011 Customs officials seize election observation editions

Ten copies of the 2010 presidential election observation results were seized by customs officials from human rights defender Andrei Paluda as he was crossing the Belarusian border last night.

23.11.2011 Imprisoned ex-presidential candidate Statkevich says that pressure on him continues

Imprisoned former presidential candidate Mikalay Statkevich has sent a letter to his associate, Pavel Sevyarynets, to say that authorities continue pressuring him into applying to Alyaksandr Lukashenka for a pardon.

23.11.2011 Prisoner’s Godparenthood: Sari Essayah adopts Mikolai Dziadok

Sari Essayah, member of the European Parliament and the European People’s Party Group, has taken on a prisoner’s godparenthood for Mikolai Dziadok.

23.11.2011 Joint Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Štefan Füle on the trial of Human Rights defender Ales Byalyatski

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, and Stefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, made today the following statement:

“We are seriously concerned about the detention and prosecution of internationally renownedBelarusian human rights defender Ales Byalyatski for alleged tax evasion. "

23.11.2011 Independent journalists prevented from shooting on the border

Hrodna police detained reporters of the BelSat TV channel and Radio Racyja journalist, as they were going to report on the events at the Bruzgi border check point on 22 November, says journalist Andrei Pachobut in his online blog.

23.11.2011 Mother of defendant in subway bombing trial pleas for protection

Mrs. Liubou Kavaliova, the mother of Uladzislau Kavaliou, currently standing trial for alleged involvement in a number of explosions, including a metro blast on 11 April 2011, has released an online petition for the public protection to the defendants.