The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 30 May 2014

30.05.2014 Belarusian dissident Mikhail Kukabaka of Russian human rights activist murdered in Ukraine: Andrei Mironov’s weapon was truthful information that exposed government lies

Today, on May 30, Andrei Mironov, a Soviet political prisoner and member of the Human Rights Center “Memorial”, who laid to rest in Moscow. Andrei Mironov was killed near the city of Slovyansk in Ukraine on May 24.

30.05.2014 Siarhei Pratsirayeu. A man who got out of the “corridor of death”.

The “corridor of death” is a corridor in the prison basement where cells for death convicts are located, and there is one way out of it – to be shot. And exceptions never happen. But…

30.05.2014 Vitsebsk Regional Court rejects supervisory appeal against ban on picket against police lawlessness

A reply signed by the Chairman of the Vitsebsk Regional Court Mikalai Khamichonak was received doctor Ihar Pastnou, who is famous for his criticism of authorities. He tried to challenge the decision of the Kastrychnitski District Court, which dismissed his appeal against the district administration. The latter did not allow him to hold a rally against police lawlessness.

30.05.2014 Belarusian human rights defender: “Ukraine had true elections”

Leanid Markhotka, a human rights activist representing the Belarusian Helsinki Committee in the town of Salihorsk, participated in monitoring the presidential election in Ukraine. Upon returning home, the observer described the difference between the Belarusian and Ukrainian elections.

30.05.2014 Police detain protesters in Minsk

In the evening of May 29, Minsk police detained several persons involved in a picket under the slogan “Death to Kremlin Invaders!”, which was staged in the city’s central Kastrychnitskaya Square. All of them are activists of the youth public association “Alternative”, says the NGO’s leader Aleh Korban on Facebook.

30.05.2014 Another journalist to stand trial over work for Radio Racyja

Andrei Mialeshka, a freelance journalist of Hrodna, has been summoned the Kastrychnitski District Court. Last evening, he received a phone call from the district court’s secretary who said that he should have appeared in court. It later turned out that the subpoena was held in the post-office. Now Andrei Mialeshka will have to appear in court today, on May 30.

30.05.2014 Minsk authorities officially ban Amaroka rock band

Head of the Department of Culture of the Minsk City Executive Committee, Vitalina Rudzikava, has officially prohibited a concert by the rock band Amaroka, according to a media project tuzin.fm.

30.05.2014 Russian psychiatrists again question findings by Belarusian doctors in case of Maladechna resident

As a result of misunderstanding in 2012, a resident of the town of Maladechna, Alesia Sadouskaya, was taken to the police station, where law enforcement officers reportedly tortured her using so-called “lastochka” position, as her hands were cuffed behind her back and tied to her feet, while the woman was put on the floor with her belly down. After Ms. Sadouskaya threatened to sue the policemen, she herself was accused of an offense and later sent for a psychiatric examination. As a result, a commission composed of psychiatric experts concluded on the need of compulsory treatment.