The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

Famous artist Ales Pushkin is to have trial at 11.00am on 3 May. He will be tried for a performance dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic.

On 25 April the United States consul Caroline Savage visited the arrested in Minsk American lawyer Emanuel Zeltser. According to the consul, Zeltser said her he had been beaten on the second and third days of his detention.

The issue of returning computers and other property to journalists, confiscated during the searches of 27 and 28 March, «will be dealt with once again after the given property is examined». This is stated in another letter from Minsk City Public Prosecutor’s Office in response to an appeal of BAJ.

In advance of World Press Freedom Day, on May 3rd, Freedom House has released its annual survey of global press freedom. Belarus is in 188th place out of 195 in Freedom of the Press 2008 ranking. Here is the report on Belarus by Freedom House.

Officials received diplomas for the best publications on the issue of state building. The prizes were awarded during the opening ceremony of the 12th «Media in Belarus» International Exhibition on Monday in «Belexpo» Exhibition Center. According to a BAJ Press Service correspondent’s observation, there are no independent civil and political newspapers represented at the exhibition.