The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

08.01.2011 Aliaksei Mikhalevich transferred from KGB jail

Aleh Aheyeu, the defense lawyer of Aliaksei Mikhalevich, has learnt that his client was transferred from the KGB jail to the pretrial detention facility of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Valadarski Street, Minsk.

06.01.2011 Election aftermath: Aliaksandr Lukashenka's electoral team wasn't represented in the Homel region

In the beginning of December 2010 a Homel human rights defender Anatol Paplauny caught in action several activists of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRSM) who were handing out agitation materials of Aliaksandr Lukashenka without imprint.

06.01.2011 Ninth suspect in 'mass riot' case

Dzimitry Apishau served 11-day arrest in the delinquents' isolation center in Akrestsin Street for participation in the 19 December protest rally. During the arrest he was taken to a building in Niamiha Street for interrogation. On 31 December Dzmitry Apishau was presented a ruling according to which he was declared a suspect in the criminal case instigated upon Article 293, part 2 of the Criminal Code (mass riot).

06.01.2011 Justice Ministry brings Andrei Sannikau's lawyer to administrative responsibility

The Justice Ministry has brought to disciplinary responsibility the lawyer who defends the arrested presidential candidate Andrei Sannikau.

05.01.2011 Siarhei Kliuyeu – one more suspect in ‘mass riot’ case

Siarhei Kliuyeu was informed that he was a suspect in the criminal case started in connection with the mass disorders on his release from the delinquents’ isolation center in Akrestsin Street on 3 January. He had to spend 15 days there.

05.01.2011 Two Russian citizens were given official charges in connection with ‘mass riot’

A representative of the information and public relations department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus Viktar Novikau has informed RIA Novosti about it.

04.01.2011 Father voted after death

Valery Zhalubouski, resident of the village of Narach, Miadzel district: my father, Uladzislau Zhalubouski, born in 1937, died on 16 December. On 19 December my mother came to the polling station to vote and asked whether she could vote for him. However, she was answered that he had already voted, on 18 December!

04.01.2011 Ex-presidential candidate Ryhor Kastusiou appeals results of election at Supreme Court

Ryhor Kastusiou has applied to the Supreme Court of Belarus with the request to review the results of the Central Election Commission concerning the acknowledgement of the presidential election. His application includes the enumeration of the violations that were registered by observers, members of election commissions and electioneering agents of candidates.

28.12.2010 Baranavichy HR defender receives predictable reply from CEC

Baranavichy human rights activist Siarhei Housha received a reply to his complaint signed by the Central Election Commission chair Lidziya Yarmoshyna.

27.12.2010 Two members of Minsk city election commission renounce voting results

Members of Minsk city election commission Halina Siamdzianava and Aliaksei Sihayeu refused to sign the commission’s final minutes, providing their dissenting opinions on the election results.

26.12.2010 23 suspects in “mass riots” criminal case (updated)

The Human Rights Center "Viasna" has been monitoring the criminal charges brought against Belarusian politicians and civil activists, following the brutal dispersal of the 19 December peaceful protest in MInsk. As of 26 December, twenty three persons have been declared suspects in a criminal case over “mass riots” on 19 December. They may face up to 15 years of imprisonment. 21 of them are currently in the KGB's pre-trial prison. Ryhor Kastusiou released on his own recognizance. The whereabouts of Dmitry Us is still unknown. The deadline for brigning official charges is December 29. Apart from that, three activists, detained ahead of the rally, are facing criminal charges for "disorderly conduct".

24.12.2010 BHC put back by CEC chair Yarmoshyna

On 24 December, during a Central Election Commission meeting, its chair Lidzia Yarmoshyna said the consideration of an appeal by the Belarusian Helsinki Committee was not provided by the law.

24.12.2010 We invite You to join the Action “A Christmas Card for the prisoners”

Famous Belarusan rock-musician Lavon Volski and human rights center “Viasna” address all famous people – leaders of public opinion both in Belarus and abroad. They ask musicians, writers, poets, artists, sportsmen to congratulate the imprisoned after peaceful protests in Minsk on December 19 and send the prisoners Christmas cards. “You are famous people, so let’s make a Christmas miracle – lighten the cells in prisons!”.

23.12.2010 25 appeals submitted by Vitsebsk observers

According to information provided by Vitsebsk human rights defenders, local observers have lodged 25 complaints with the Central Election Commission, calling for avoid the voting results at a number of the city’s polling stations.