‘European Belarus’ activists picket KGB

On 12 February activists of the civil campaign European Belarus held a picket near the KGB office in Minsk demanding to release arrested Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Liavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka.

Three activists of the campaign brought to the entrance a box with ‘material evidence’ of arson of a policeman’s house that took place 5 years ago, of which the entrepreneurs are accused. The evidence consisted of empty fuel cans, matches, and lighters. Then they unfurled a banner ‘Freedom to Political Prisoners!’. Other participants of the picket were handing out leaflets with information about arrest of Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Liavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka on the both sides of Nezalezhnastsi Avenue.

Bear in mind that on 8 February Almaz special police force and policemen of the operational group on organized crime arrested leaders of entrepreneurs Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Liavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka. After searches in their apartments, the entrepreneurs were taken to Minsk detention centre in Akrestsin Street. They are charged with arson of a policeman’s house 5 years ago.

Mikalai Autukhovich and Yury Liavonau are former political prisoners sentenced to imprisonment for far-fetched accusation for defense of rights of entrepreneurs. In the beginning of 2008 the measure of restraint was changed for them to restriction of freedom.