23.08.2012 Journalist Mikhail Yanchuk allowed to leave Belarus

Two journalists are still restricted from travelling abroad.

The State Department on Citizenship and Migration removed Belsat TV journalist Mikhail Yanchuk from the database of persons restricted to leave the country. Two journalists still remain on the list of persons banned from leaving Belarus – chief editor of Nasha Niva newspaper Andrei Dynko and Andrei Sannikov's spokesman at the presidential election Alyaksnadr Atroshchankau, Radio Svaboda reminds.

23.08.2012 Vitsebsk activists appeal denials of registration

Vitsebsk pro-democratic activists Lidziya Sahidulina, Siarhei Parsiukevich and Uladzimir Pravalski have lodged complaints with the Central Election Commission, contesting yesterday’s decisions by local election commissions to deny them registration as candidates for Parliament.

23.08.2012 Minsk City Court’s Judicial Board turns down complaint by Hary Pahaniayla

Human rights defender Hary Pahaniayla appealed the judgment of Minsk Maskouski District Court. He asked to recognize actions by the Ministry of Justice and the Interior Ministry illegal, which led to his groundless inclusion in a data bank of "persons restricted to travel".

23.08.2012 Unregistered parliamentary hopeful summoned to Rahachou KGB

Dzianis Dashkevich, opposition activist from the town of Rahachou (Homel region), has been summoned to local KGB office, after he was denied registration as a candidate for Parliament.

23.08.2012 Migalski demands information about Kavalenka's health

Polish member of the European Parliament Marek Migalski is concerns over the situation of political prisoner Syarhei Kavalenka, who serves his term in penal colony No. 19 in Mahilou.

23.08.2012 Brest parliamentary candidate appeals election campaigning restrictions

Ihar Maslouski, Brest leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) running for Parliament in local constituency No. 2, has lodged a complaint with the city’s executive committee, saying the current election campaigning opportunities are extremely limited.

23.08.2012 Young Front activist sentenced to 7 days of arrest

Judge Dzmitry Lukashevich of Minsk Frunzenski District Court has sentenced Mikola Dzemidzenka, activist of the Young Front movement, to 7 days of administrative arrest on “disorderly conduct” charges.

23.08.2012 Vitsebsk Regional Court turns down appeal by Nash Dom activist

Judge Iryna Smaliakova of Vitsebsk Regional Court has dismissed an appeal by Mrs. Yanina Liasneuskaya, activist of the Nash Dom civil campaign, against a ruling by Orsha court of 31 July.

23.08.2012 Palitviazni.info to be presented in Warsaw on 24 August

The updated and expanded palitviazni.info online resource is expected to be presented in the Belarusian House in Warsaw (Village 13/3) at 2 p.m. 24 August. The event has been arranged by the Poland-based Foundation for the Development of Democratic Initiatives and the Human Rights Center “Viasna”.

23.08.2012 Ballots printed ahead of candidates’ registration

The election commissions of Minsk constituency No. 91 has denied registration to Mrs. Volha Kavalkova, activist of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, after her income tax declaration was found invalid, the BCD’s press-service reports.

23.08.2012 Another criminal case opened against independent journalist

IC opened a criminal case against journalist Mikalai Piatrushenka for "insulting a government official".

23.08.2012 OSCE/ODIHR opens mission to observe parliamentary elections in Belarus

MINSK, 22 August 2012 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the parliamentary elections to be held in Belarus on 23 September. The mission's deployment follows an invitation from the Belarusian authorities. As a participating State of the OSCE, Belarus has committed itself to invite ODIHR to observe its elections.

23.08.2012 Young Front activist Mikola Dzemidzenka detained in Minsk

Mikola Dzemidzenka, activist of the Young Front youth opposition movement, was detained by Minsk police last evening, the Young Front’s press-service reports.

23.08.2012 European Belarus activist fined for election boycott campaign

On 22 August, Minsk Kastrychnitski District Court fined Viktar Boldzin, activist of the European Belarus opposition movement, BYR 300,000 for carrying leaflets that call upon voters not to go to polling stations on 23 September.