The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

Activist Uladzimir Shyla is appealing a ban imposed by Salihorsk district executive committee on a mass event expected to be held on Freedom Day. The appeal will be heard by Minsk Regional Court.

On May 17 the Chyhunachny District Court of Vitsebsk completed hearing the lawsuit brought by Mrs. Antanina Pivanos to demand compensation for confiscated embroidery with a prayer. On March 25, 2008 she gave it to the oppositionist Barys Khamaida, which was regarded as an unauthorized street event by the police and then by the court.

A report of the Prosecutor’s Office of Mahiliou region said on April 30 that another death sentence had been pronounced in Belarus. It was the first verdict since 2011. Some Western politicians were too quick to call the lack of new death sentences in 2012 as a “positive trend.”

Judge Alena Protas found Kastus Smolikau and Leanid Autukhou, both members of the Belarusian Popular Front’s Vitsebsk office, guilty of violating mass media legislation. The BPF members were charged with distributing the newsletter called “Magistrate,” more than 299 copies of which were found by the police. However, the count was conducted in a rather extraordinary way: not by copies but by “big packs” and “thick bundles” – these were the arguments mentioned in court to prove the illegal excess in the edition’s circulation.

We have learned that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has confirmed at its general congress in Stockholm 16-19 May that the Republic of Belarus will host the 2014 IIHF World Championship.

Yauhen Hlushkou, independent journalist from Mahiliou, is summoned to Bialynichy district police department. Another journalist, Alina Skrabunova, was not found at home and is yet to be summoned.

Judge Yury Harbatouski of Minsk Pershamaiski District Court heard today the charges brought against former political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou and fined him 3 mln rubles.

Deputy Chairman of the executive committee of Mazyr district issued a warning to the editor-in-chief of the local government-run newspaper “Zhytssio Palessia” over repeated publications humiliating the Roma community.

Siarhei Verameyenka, member of the Belarusian Christian Democracy’s Hrodna office, is appealing a fine to Hrodna Regional Court. On May 7 Judge Natallia Kozel of Leninsky District Court of Hrodna sentenced Siarhei Verameyenka to a fine of 2 mln rubles for alleged violation of Article 22.9 (par. 2) - illegal manufacture of printed products.

Vitsebsk Regional Court has heard an appeal lodged by Piotr Ivanov to contest the ruling by Judge Valiantsina Kismiaroshkina of Pershamaiski District Court who fined the activist for allegedly providing false testimony against traffic police and disobeying police officers. As a result, the regional court decided that the decision of the district court was legal.