The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for May 2012

29.05.2012 Picket “Beds for everyone” banned

Post graduate student Alyaksei Paulouski was not allowed to hold a picket near the Academy of Science.

29.05.2012 Viasna statement on conviction and sentencing of Vasil Parfiankou

On 29 May, Minsk Pershamaiski District Court sentenced civil activist Vasil Parfiankou to six months of arrest for violating the restrictions of a preventive supervision imposed by a court under Art. 421 of the Criminal Code. The Human Rights Center “Viasna” views the sentencing of Vasil Parfiankou as a politically motivated decision, and will consider the activist a political prisoner from the moment when his imprisonment starts.

29.05.2012 Former political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou sentenced to 6 months in prison

Minsk Pershamaiski District Court has sentenced former political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou to 6 months of arrest on charges of violating parole restrictions (Art. 421 of the Criminal Code).

28.05.2012 Young Front member Raman Vasilyeu taken into custody for 12 days again

An activist of Young Front was tried today in the Maskouski district court of Minsk.

28.05.2012 Brutally beaten Andrei Mouchan called to police

Andrei Mouchan, an activist of European Belarus civil campaign beaten by police officers, has been called to a city police department of the Pershamaiski district.

28.05.2012 Another Young Front activist faces additional charges after 12 days of prison

On 26 May, Raman Vasilyeu, activist of the Young Front opposition movement, was expected to be released after serving 12 days of arrest for public displaying of a white-red-white flag.

28.05.2012 Former police officer keeps appealing arbitrary detention of July 2011

Viktar Malochka, former Lieutenant Colonel of financial police, keeps appealing his detention by Salihorsk police during a “silent protest” in mid-July 2011.

28.05.2012 Belarus: Arrest and sentencing of human rights defender Mr Oleg Volchek

On 24 May 2012, human rights defender Mr Oleg Volchek was arrested and detained by police, and sentenced to nine days of administrative imprisonment. Oleg Volchek is a prominent human rights lawyer and director of the non-governmental organisation Pravovaya pomoshch naseleniyu (Legal Aid to Population), which was closed down by the Belarusian authorities in 2003.

28.05.2012 Baranavichy pro-dem activist’s appeal turned down

Baranavichy policemen will not be prosecuted for detaining local opposition activist Ryhor Hryk on 1 May, says a reply from police chief Prakuda.

28.05.2012 Over 20 detained in meeting with nuclear energy researcher in Minsk

At least 21 youths were detained by Minsk police during a meeting with Heorhi Lepin, nuclear energy researcher, on 27 May.

28.05.2012 Prosecutor General’s Office examining activity of Belsat TV in Belarus

The Prosecutor General’s Office is examining the activity of Belsat TV in Belarus, said the Polish-based channel that is critical of the Belarusian authorities.

28.05.2012 Journalist Maryna Koktysh detained, searched at Lithuanian border

Journalist Maryna Koktysh became the latest critic of Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s government to be taken off a train and detained by Belarusian customs officers at the Lithuanian border.

28.05.2012 Swedish civil society activists meet with NGO leaders in Homyel despite police interference

Swedish civil society activists managed to hold a meeting with leaders of Belarusian non-governmental organizations in Homyel on Friday despite attempts by police to disrupt the event.

25.05.2012 Dzmitry Kramyanetski sentenced to 10 days of arrest

An administrative case against Dzmitry Kramyanetski, who was accused of swearing (article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences), was heard in the Maskouski district court.

25.05.2012 President’s Administration and Prosecutor General’s Office ignore appeals by Baranavichy pro-dem activist

Baranavichy opposition activist Ryhor Hryk has received official replies from the Presidential Administration and the Prosecutor General‘s Office, saying that his appeal against a warning for involvement in an unsanctioned mass events on 8 October 2011 was sent back to Brest Regional Prosecutor’s Office.