News on the topic: political persecution
23.01.2009 Franak Viachorka’s draft delayed
Minsk Savetski Borough Court resolved to suspend the process of drafting the BPF’s Youth leader Franak Viachorka, after he appealed against the numerous violations by military officials and medics as he was forced to join the army. On 21 January Franak Viachorka was detained by plainclothes policemen as he was undergoing a medical examination in one of Minsk hospitals. The young politician had previously had an eye surgery and therefore was granted deferment from military service. However, Viachorka was informed he would soon be taken to a military unit.
15.01.2009 Young Front activist faces criminal prosecution for draft dodging
Siarzhuk Huminski, member of the Young Front movement, who was forced to leave Belarus due to political oppression from the state and has spent over a year in Poland, is now facing criminal sentence for draft dodging. The activist is officially wanted by the police.
15.01.2009 Hrodna University brings to account politically active student
Aleh Pronski, For Freedom activist and coordinator of the For European Masty Region campaign, has been questioned by Aliaksandr Duduk, vice-rector of Hrodna State Agriculture University, concerning his public activity. During the conversation that lasted for about ten minutes, Aleh was shown photos taken during the Kalinouski brothers annual memorial festival in Svislach and other materials on the event from the dzida.org web-site.
12.01.2009 ‘Young Front’ activist Ivan Shyla is drafted into army
Ivan Shyla, deputy head of Salihorsk branch of Young Front, was found fit for military service. He was guarded to the military enlistment office.
08.01.2009 Army drafting as a means for neutralization of political activists
Pavel Kuryianovich, activist of the civil campaign European Belarus, is threatened with being drafter to the army.
12.12.2008 Ministry of Justice demands explanations concerning activities of BPF Youth
The Ministry of Justice submitted to the Board of the Belarusian Popular Front Party the demand to present information on BPF Youth. In the text of the ministry’s request it is also said that all structures of political parties must be created on territorial principle. ‘Therewith, according to the information of the Ministry of Justice, recently the activities of a structure of the BPF Party – BPF Youth have started. In particular, on 25-26 October 2008 the assembly of this structure was held and its chairman was elected,’ writes the deputy minister of justice A.Bileichyk.
12.12.2008 Pressurization of member of ‘For Freedom’ movement
Officers of law-enforcement agencies pressurize Siarhei Trafimchyk, a member of the unregistered movement For Freedom from the settlement of Biarozauka. On 12 December people in civvies paid a visit to his apartment. They tried to find out the reasons for his critical attitude to the authorities.
11.12.2008 Homel: Christian democrats are considered as extremists
Democratic activist, psychiatrist Siarhei Tryfanau was warned about the inadmissibility of participation in extremist organizations by his bosses.
11.12.2008 Detention on the Ukrainian border
Activists of the Belarusian opposition may face problems at the border crossing point Makrany in Malaryta district on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.
09.12.2008 Alexander Barazenka is sentenced to one year of personal restraint
The hearings on the criminal case against Alexander Barazenka at Tsentralny district court came to an end. Procurator Tsikhavets demanded that the accused was sentenced to 18 months of personal restraint without direction to an open prison. Alexander Barazenka did not take the blame.
09.12.2008 Trial over Barazenka: riot policeman outrage state symbols
Opposition activists flied a flag near the court of Tsentralny district of Minsk. Hearings in the case of political prisoner Alexander Barazenka are taking place today. Rallies of solidarity with the prisoner of conscience are held in front of the building of the court for the second day. Oppositionists are holding a streamer ‘Freedom to Barazenka!’, shouting ‘Freedom to political prisoners!’, ‘Long live Belarus!’
08.12.2008 Tax inspection prepares New Year surprise for Anatol Liabedzka
The leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Liabedzka received from the Ministry of Dues and Taxes the demand for ‘giving explanations’ within 30 days. According to this document, he must give written explanations about the financial sources from which he covered his expenses, including the dates, the way he received the money and the received sums. The demand is signed by the deputy head of the tax inspection, the head of the small business control department Dzmitry Saladukhin.
08.12.2008 Tax inspection prepares New Year surprise for Anatol Liabedzka
The leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Liabedzka received from the Ministry of Dues and Taxes the demand for ‘giving explanations’ within 30 days. According to this document, he must give written explanations about the financial sources from which he covered his expenses, including the dates, the way he received the money and the received sums. The demand is signed by the deputy head of the tax inspection, the head of the small business control department Dzmitry Saladukhin.
08.12.2008 Leader of entrepreneurs is suspected in larceny
Anatol Shumchanka, leader of the Perspective republican NGO, is suspected of minor larceny. As A.Shumchanka told to BelaPAN, on 5 December he received a writ from Maskouski district court of Minsk ordering him to appear in court for a trial on charges in minor larceny (article 10.5 part 1 of the Administrative Code on 17 December.
08.12.2008 Katsiaryna Salauyova is charged with assault on policeman
20-year-old Young Front activist Katsiaryna Salauyova, detained on 6 December after a rally of solidarity with Alexander Barazenka, has been released. However, prosecutor’s office launched a check over beating of a policeman by her.
