The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 27 Apr 2015

27.04.2015 Trade union activist appeals ban on May Day picket in Baranavičy

Ryhor Hryk, leader of the Baranavičy office of the independent trade union of radio electronic industry, filed today a complaint in the Baranavičy District and City Court to challenge a ban imposed by the city executive committee on a picket scheduled for May 1.

27.04.2015 Report on the results of monitoring Čarnobyĺski šliach 2015 demonstration (photo)

Of greatest concern is the ongoing practice of arbitrary detentions and judicial harassment of some protesters (detention of Viktar Shaputska and Vital Kalinouski). Another negative factor was instances of threats to observers from law enforcement agencies.

27.04.2015 In Mahileu activist arrested for “No corruption” fly sheets

Police detained Mikalai Hladyshau, an activist of the United Civic Party, for distribution of independent newspapers and fly sheets.

27.04.2015 Salihorsk court turns down activist’s claim for moral damage compensation

Deputy Chair of the Salihorsk District Court Ala Trafimchuk has dismissed the suit of local activist of the European Belarus opposition movement Uladzimir Lemesh asking to compensate for non-pecuniary damage caused to him by the department of internal affairs of the Salihorsk district executive committee.

27.04.2015 Freelance journalist Alina Litvinchuk faces new charges

Freelance journalist Alina Litvinchuk is facing new administrative charges under Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code (illegal production and distribution of media products), according to police officer Andrei Ivanitski.

27.04.2015 Supreme Court dismisses appeal by critical blogger’s son

Aliaksei Zhalnou, the son of a blogger Aleh Zhalnou, has received an official response from the Supreme Court signed by Valery Kalinkovich, deputy chairman of the court. Aliaksei Zhalnou sought to overturn the sentence imposed by Judge Yuliya Beraziuk of the Babrujsk Court, who sentenced him to three years in an open-type penal colony.

27.04.2015 Publisher of independent newspaper in Kryčaŭ accused of slandering police officer

On April 23, Uladzimir Kudrautsau, the publisher of the Kryčaŭ-based independent newspaper Voĺny horad (“Free City”), was summoned to the local police station to face administrative charges.

27.04.2015 More freelance journalists fined in Homieĺ

On April 24, the Centraĺny District Court of Homieĺ considered administrative charges brought against freelance journalists Natallia Kryvashei and Kanstantsin Zhukouski. As a result, they were found guilty of violating Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code (illegal manufacturing of media products) and punished by a fine of 5.4 million each (30 basic units). For Kanstantsin Zhukouski, it was the second fine on the same charges in April.