29.02.2008 Salihorsk entrepreneurs receive big fines

On February 27th the court of Minsk district and Zaslauye considered administrative charges against three family members of Salihorsk entrepreneur Aliaksandr Tsatsura and against Viktar Kryval.

Judge Siarhei Ahafonski recognized them guilty of violating Article 23.4 of the Administrative Code – “Insubordination to the legal demands of a police officer” and imposed the following fines: Aliaksandr Tsatsura – 50 basic units, Tamara Tsatsura – 30 basic units, Ilya Tsatsura – 30 basic units. Viktar Kryval who is serving a 15-days arrest, was also fined 50 basic units, in his absence.

26.02.2008 Navumau’s threat to launch 50 criminal cases against action participants slowly coming true

he human rights center “Viasna” found out, investigation department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs started interrogating suspects on the criminal case under Article 342 of the Criminal Code “organization or active participation in group actions that seriously violate the public order”. The criminal case was instigated after the rally and march of entrepreneurs that took place on January 10th in Minsk. According to our information, 12 people are suspected. Today three of the suspected – Uladzimir Siarheyeu, Ales Straltsou, and Mikhas Kryvau -- were summoned to investigation department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for interrogation.

22.02.2008 Criminal Case against Participants of European March

The peaceful mass action European March took place on 14 October 2007. HRC Viasna learned that on 28 December 2007 the investigations department of Pershamaiski district police department of Minsk brought a criminal case under part 2 of article 339 of the Criminal Code ‘hooligan action, performed by a group of individuals’, because two police cars were allegedly damaged by the action participants.

19.02.2008 Barysau: Private Apartments of Siarhei Salash and His Mother Are Under Arrest

A week ago it became known that the apartment of Siarhei Salash, public activist from Barysau, has been under arrest since November 2006, as well as the apartment that was inherited by his mother after the recent death of husband, Siarhei’s father. This fact was revealed after soon after the death. Barysau branch of Minsk oblast agency on state registration and land cadastre issued excerpt #371:83/08 from the register on the rights and limitations of rights on isolated premises. This excerpt contains the ban on ‘alienation of the premises’ for both apartments, for the term that ‘has not been determined’. The reason for the ban is ‘another document (police department of Maskouski district executive committee of Minsk) of 4 November 2006 #MG/9 OPR)’.

19.02.2008 Zhaleznichenka’s Mother Appeals against His Expulsion from University

On 5 March the court hearings on the suit of Zmitser Zhaleznichenka’s mother against Homel State University will start. On 18 February the judge of the Tsentralny district court of Homel Zhanna Andreichyk listened to the positions of the sides and decided to start the trial after Zmitser receives an answer from the Ministry of Education, to which he had complained against the illegal expulsion.

19.02.2008 Aliaksandr Kruty Can Be Released from Zhodzina Pre-trial Prison Today

The college board on criminal cases of Minsk oblast court has reversed the ruling of Niasvizh district court in the case of Aliaksandr Kruty, who was accused of defamation of the president.

19.02.2008 FIDH and Viasna: Open Letter to Belarusian Authorities on Harassment against Zhaleznichenka

Minsk-Paris, 15 February 2008 – The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Human Rights Center “Viasna” express their deep concern about the Belarusian authorities’ repeated harassment against the youth activist Dmitry Zheleznichenko.

18.02.2008 Detained Young Front Activists Were Released with No Violation Reports Drawn up

All members of the underground oppositional organization Young Front arrested near Minsk on Saturday were released without charges later that day.

15.02.2008 Court Upholds Zhaleznichenka’s Draft to Army

On 14 February Savetski district court of Homel left in force the decision of the district military enlistment office for drafting a local democratic activist Zmitser Zhaleznichenka to army.

14.02.2008 Zhaleznichenka’s Mother Sues against State Newspaper

Ala Zhaleznichenka, mother of a the youth activist Zmitser Zhaleznichenka who is being illegally detained at a military unit, has sued against the state newspaper Homelskaya Prauda for protection of the honor, dignity and business reputation of her son.

14.02.2008 Salihorsk: Aliaksandr Tsatsura’s Driver’s License Annulled

On 12 February the leader of Salihorsk entrepreneurs Aliaksandr Tsatsura was released from jail after 15-day arrest for collection of signatures for abolishment of president’s decree #760.

14.02.2008 Authorities Tighten Pressure on Aliaksandr Kazulin

Aliaksandr Kazulin had a short meeting with his daughters in the colony Vitsba-3.

14.02.2008 Tsentralny District Court Leaves Andrei Kim in Jail

Tsentralny district court of Minsk confirmed the restrain to Andrei Kim, a member of the underground organization Initiative. Thus, the activist is still kept in the pre-trial prison in Minsk, to which he was placed on 21 January after the end of the 10-day arrest for participation in a meeting of entrepreneurs.

14.02.2008 Zhodzina: Aliaksandr Kruty Still Illegally Kept in Pre-trial Prison

Aliaksandr Kruty has been released from punishment by court three weeks ago. However, he is still kept at the pre-trial prison in Zhodzina. He is kept alone in a cell for live-sentence convicts.

12.02.2008 Young Front Supports Candidacy of Zmitser Zhaleznichenka for Student Peace Prize

The underground youth organization Young Front has supported the initiative of the Belarusian human rights activist, the Human Rights Center Viasna and the BPF Youth (youth wing of the Belarusian People’s Front Party) for nomination of an activist of the BPF Youth Zmitser Zhaleznichenka for Student Peace Prize.