30.07.2012 Reporters Without Borders condemns journalist Vital Ruhayn’s arrest in Minsk

“Vital Ruhayn’s arrest is indicative of the regime’s sensitivities about matters related – closely or otherwise – to the Minsk bombing and national security,” Reporters Without Borders said. “A journalist should not be arrested for highlighting police violations of security regulations. We call for the withdrawal of the trumped-up charges brought against him.”

30.07.2012 Brest Regional Court upholds dismissal of trade union leader

Brest Regional Court has ruled to uphold an earlier decision by Luninets District Court on a complaint lodged by Mikalai Karyshau, leader of the independent trade union at the Granite state-owned enterprise, following his dismissal in March 2012.

30.07.2012 Nash Dom activist to stand trial for propaganda of violence

On 31 July, Orsha Town Court is expected to open the hearing of the administrative charges brought against Mrs. Yana Liasneuskaya, activist of the Nash Dom civil campaign, for alleged propaganda of violence and cruelty.

30.07.2012 Pavel Sevyarynets released for three days

The convicted politician has been given a short leave.

29.07.2012 Salihorsk officials disregard Electoral Code

Human rights defender Leanid Markhotka has not yet received a reply to his appeal of 16 July suggesting introducing changes to election campaigning restrictions imposed by the executive authorities of the town of Salihorsk.

29.07.2012 Baranavichy authorities ban picket in support of political prisoners

Baranavichy city executive committee has not authorized a picket of solidarity with Ales Bialiatski and other Belarusian political prisoners.

29.07.2012 Barysau human rights defender exposes lies by constituency election commission

Barysau human rights defender Aleh Matskevich has received a reply from the Central Election Commission head Lidziya Yarmoshyna, saying nothing of the essence of his complaint – an illegal decision taken by the members of constituency election commission No. 62.

29.07.2012 Russian physicist Ozharovsky deported from Belarus

Andrei Ozharovsky is banned from entering Belarus for 10 years.

27.07.2012 Mazyr: predictable replies to HR defender Tseliapun

On 26 July, Mazyr human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun received negative replies from local district executive committee and council concerning his application for holding a demonstration on 4 August to demand the release of Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski.

27.07.2012 Biaroza activists dissatisfied with CEC’s reply

Siarzhuk Rusetski and Tamara Shchapiotkina, pro-democratic activists from the town of Biaroza, Brest region, have received a reply to their proposals on amending the electoral legislation.

27.07.2012 Administrations of Babruisk hostels deny access to canvasser

Valiantsina Hlukhava, member of the initiative group of Speak the Truth activist Aksana Samuilava, who is running for Parliament in constituency No. 79, has not been allowed canvassing for votes inside a number of local hostels.

27.07.2012 Pavel Sapelka: Situation with Anton Surapin’s detention in KGB prison reminds of December 2010

Human rights lawyer Pavel Sapelka says the current situation of journalist Anton Surapin, who has been reportedly denied access to his lawyer for two days, may repeat the events of December 2010, when persons arrested on charges of involvement in mass riots were not able to meet their counsels for weeks.

27.07.2012 Lawyer has no access to Surapin for two days

A lawyer was not allowed to see his client Anton Surapin in the KGB jail on July 25 and 26.

BelaPAN learned it from the mother of the jailed photographer.

27.07.2012 Worker fired for pictures of dirty margarine

The loader was asked to work on his weekend, and then he was fired for absenteeism.

27.07.2012 Activist detained on Independence Day

Mrs. Nina Bahinskaya, activist of the Belarusian Popular Front “Christian Conservative Party”, has been detained while displaying a white-red-white flag outside Minsk Pershamaiski District Court.