Popular Writers and Poets Ask for Public Support of Young Front Activists at Trial
According to the Young Front press-service
Representatives of the intellectual circles of Belarus – popular writers, poets, historians, critics and the leaders of all democratic political parties have applied to the public with the call to come to Savetski court of Minsk, Lahoyski Tract 3 and support the Young Front activists during the politically motivated court lynching.
The Belarusian authorities continue the severe persecution of the Belarusians who want to live in a free, democratic and independent country. After this year’s events, when dozens thousand people, predominantly young ones, came out to Kalinouski Square to defend freedom, truth and justice, the law machinery pointed the main repressions at the Belarusian youth. As KGB had nothing to accuse the participants of non-violent resistance of, it had to introduce in the Criminal Code the anti-constitutional article 193.1, ‘participation in the activity of unregistered organization’. In 1937 Stalin’s butchers judged Belarusian poets and writers on the case of ‘national-democrats’, a decade later youth activists were tried on the case of ‘Union of Belarusian Patriots’. Now, in 2007, their ideological descendents prepare the lynching of Stalin’s butchers judged Belarusian poets and writers on the case of ‘national-democrats’, a decade later youth activists were tried on the case of ‘Union of Belarusian Patriots’. Now, in 2007, their ideological descendents prepare the lynching of Young Front members.
The criminal case against Young Front was started right after the spring events of 2006: the interrogations covered more than 100 activists all over the country. In response 80 activists of Young Front conducted a relay hunger-strike of protest.
On 15 November 2006 the leader of Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich was thrown behind bars. He was sentenced to 1.5 years of jail under article 193. A month later the deputy-chair of the organization Pavel Krasouski was seized and accused of murders, rapes and terrorism. One of the leaders of Young FrontёArtur Finkevich, has already served a year of corrective labor. On 4 February 2007 about 30 activists of Young Front were detained in Minsk. Five of them – Barys Haretski, Zmitser Khvedaruk, Aleh Korban, Nasta Palazhanka and Aliaksei Yanusheuski, are now charged under the same draconian article 193.
The youth activist Dzianis Dzianisau has been groundlessly accused of ‘organization of mass trial’ and awaits trial. Krystsina Shatsikava, who joined Young Front to express solidarity with them, has been forcibly taken to a psychiatric hospital by unknown persons.
However, despite it all Young Front continues its struggle for Belarus. Thousands of young Belarusians came out in the streets of Minsk on Freedom Day, 25 March. Young Front activists still act openly and state: YOUNG FRONT CAN’T BE STOPPED!
The repressions against Young Front convincingly prove that the regime extremely fear the will and the faith of the Belarusian youth. We know that Young Front roots its activity on the Belarusian patriotism and Christian principles and support them in their struggle for democracy and revival.
We urge all Belarusians to come to the trial of Young Front activists Barys Haretski, Zmitser Khvedaruk, Aleh Korban, Nasta Palazhanka and Aliaksei Yanusheuski in order to express solidarity with them and say together with them:
YOUNG FRONT CAN’T BE STOPPED!
Nil Hilevich, people’s poet of Belarus
Anatol Hrytskevich, doctor of historical sciences, academician of the International Academy of Sciences
Ryhor Baradulin, people’s poet of Belarus
Andrei Dynko, chief editor of Nasha Niva
Adam Hliobus, Belarusian writer, artist and publisher
Uladzimir Sodal, literary critic
Aleh Trusau, candidate of historical sciences, deputy of the Supreme Soviet of Belarus of the 12th Convocation
Aliaksandr Milinkevich, leader of the democratic forces of Belarus
Stanislau Shushkevich, the first head of the independent Belarus
Vintsuk Viachorka, chair of Belarusian People’s Front
Anatol Liabedzka, chair of the United Civil Party
Siarhei Kaliakin, chair of the Party of Communists of Belarus
Ales Arastovich, acting chair of Belarusian Social Democratic Party Narodnaya Hramada
Anatol Liaukovich, acting chair of Belarusian Social Democratic Party Hramada
Uladzimir Navasiad, chair of the Party of Freedom and Progress
Aliaksandr Bukhvostau, chair of Belarusian Labor Party
Valiantsina Matusevich, member of the council of the Women’s Party Nadzeya
