27.12.2011 Supreme Court dismisses Bandarenka’s appeal

The reply from the Supreme Court is dated December 23, when Lukashenka said at a press conference he did not plan to free political prisoners.

27.12.2011 Administrative case against Syarhei Kavalenka closed

A trial over hanging out a flag on a shop in Vitsebsk was held on December 26 in the Kastrychnitski district court in absence of Kavalenka.

27.12.2011 Barysau campaigner appeals fine

Barysau pro-democratic activist Mikalai Ilyushonak has lodged a complaint against a fine for alleged violation of mass events procedures handed down by Barysau district court on 12 December.

27.12.2011 Judgement in the case of Ales Bialiatski by the Court of Pershamaiski District of the city of Minsk

On 24 November 2011, the Court of Pershamaiski District of the city of Minsk composed of presiding judge S.V. Bandarenka, with participation of state prosecutor V.I. Saikouski, defense lawyer D.Y. Layeuski, having examined in an open trial on the premises of the Court of Maskouski District of the city of Minsk the criminal case file in relation to:

Aliaksandr Viktaravich Bialiatski, born 25 September 1962, native of the town of Viartsila, Sortavala District, the Republic of Karelia, the Russian Federation, citizen of the Republic of Belarus, liable for military service, married, with higher education, unemployed, previously not convicted, registered at: 78A-48 Nezalezhnastsi Avenue, Minsk,

charged under Par. 2 Art. 243 of the Criminal Code.

26.12.2011 Will Bialiatski be allowed to attend father's funeral?

Every authority possible has been involved to obtain permission for imprisoned Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski to attend the funeral of his father, who died on 24 December, says the human rights defender's wife Natallia, following her today's appeals submitted to the Prosecutor General's Office and the Interior Ministry.

24.12.2011 Ales Bialiatski's father dies

The father of imprisoned Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski Viktar Bialiatski, 82, has died of lung cancer this morning. Thus, Ales Bialiatski has not managed to see his dying father after the human rights defender's wife and associates were repeatedly denied the right with reference to procedural flaws and legal requirements.

24.12.2011 Christmas and New Year wishes from Ales Bialiatski!

“Let us hope the year will be quieter for us personally and maybe a decisive one for the whole country. Then life will flow in the necessary direction”, says imprisoned Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski in a letter sent from Zhodzina prison, wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of his friends and colleagues.

24.12.2011 Brest activist appeals arrest and detention conditions

Liavontsi Chypurnykh, Brest activist of the Belarusian Leftist Party “Fair World”, has lodged two complaints with local prosecuting authorities.

23.12.2011 Asipovichy prosecuting officials cover up police lawlessness

Asipovichy district prosecutor’s office finds no police-related violations in the detention of local activist Ihar Simbirou back on 8 October, says an official reply received by the activist.

23.12.2011 Lukashenka says that he will order release of Sannikaw, Statkevich, Bandarenka after they ask him for pardon

Alyaksandr Lukashenka said Friday that he would order the release of former presidential candidates Andrey Sannikaw and Mikalay Statkevich, as well as Mr. Sannikaw’s campaign aide Dzmitry Bandarenka only after they asked him for a pardon.

23.12.2011 FIDH: "Belarus: Human rights situation at its worst a year after elections"

FIDH and its member organisation HRC Viasna strongly condemn the ever intensifying repression of independent voices in Belarus. Political liberties in the country have strongly deteriorated since the presidential elections of 19 December 2010 cultivating a climate of fear.

23.12.2011 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders: Press Release on Sentencing of Viasna Vice-Chairman Valiantsin Stefanovich

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), condemns the sentencing of Mr. Valiantsin Stefanovich, Vice-Chairman of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”, by to a fine of 53 million rubles (about 4,840 euros).

23.12.2011 Polish NGOs Issue Statement on FEMEN Action in Minsk

Polish NGOs acting in favour of Belarus assembled in the Belarus Working Group at the Zagranica Group have issued a statement regarding the abduction of the Ukrainian organization FEMEN by KGB.

23.12.2011 Czech NGOs bid Belarus to free political prisoners

Today's first appeal was the morning solidarity event in front of Embassy of Belarus in Prague, calling for freeing Ales Bialiatski and other Belarusian political prisoners. This was followed by simulated arrests of students at the Charles University and by a flashmob in the centre of Prague. The event taking place on the anniversary of Belarusian presidential election was organized by the NGOs People in Need, NESEHNUTI, Amnesty International CR and Civic Belarus, in cooperation with the Belarusian community in Prague.

23.12.2011 Kavalenka's Detention Extended

The pretrial detention of a political activist in eastern Belarus has been prolonged for another six weeks, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports.