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.

22.11.2011 Ales Bialiatski trial continued: Another break till 23 November

Minsk Maskouski District Court is continuing to host the trial of VIasna leader Ales Bialiatski, facing tax evasion charges.

22.11.2011 People’s Assembly organizers appeal administrative sentences

Uladzimir Shantsau, Mahiliou leader of the United Civil Party, has lodged an appeal against a verdict by Judge Aksana Ratnikava of Leninski District Court who fined the activist BYR 1.4 mln for involvement in the organization of the People’s Assembly.

22.11.2011 Hrodna: Trials in absentia without opportunity to file appeals

Court in Hrodna began to use a new practice – hearing administrative cases in absentia.

22.11.2011 Police refute information on mass detentions in Krupki

The regional police also doubt the information that riot policemen beat people.

21.11.2011 Investigation into Yury Zakharanka case extended

The investigation into the case of former Interior Minister and opposition leader Yury Zakharanka, who was forcibly abducted in May 1999, has been extended until 24 December 2011, the Narodnaya Volya newspaper reports.

21.11.2011 More Vitsebsk executive officials authorized to open administrative cases

Vitsebsk regional executive committee has released a decree which enables a wide range of local executive officials to initiate administrative trials.

21.11.2011 Political prisoner Autukhovich goes on hunger strike in disciplinary cell

Vaukavysk entrepreneur Mikalai Autukhovich, who is currently serving his 5-year term for alleged illegal possession and transportation of firearms, keeps being harassed by the administration of Ivatsevichy penal colony, as he has been placed in a disciplinary cell for reported disobeying orders.

21.11.2011 Salihorsk HR defenders report administrative obstacles to receiving legal aid

A 23-year-old resident of the village of Starobin, Salihorsk district, accused of murdering his daughter was unable to meet with his lawyer for two months, say local activists of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee.

21.11.2011 Karelichy prosecuting authorities persist in procedural abuses

Ivan Sheha, Slonim activist of the Belarusian Popular Front Party, has yet been unable to receive an official reply to his complaint against his detention by road police back on 8 October.

21.11.2011 Ihar Sluchak to appeal against decision on his arrest to Supreme Court

Ihar Sluchak from Homel has filed an appeal to the chair of the Supreme Court, Valyantsin Sukala.

21.11.2011 KGB unwilling to return seized video camera

Zmitser Salauyou, Mahiliou leader of the Belarusian Popular Front “Adradzhenne”, has been unable to recover the video camera seized by local KGB officers during a search at the activist’s residence on 15 January 2011.