The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 10 Jan 2011

10.01.2011 Brest: Ihar Sliadzeuski’s apartment was searched and he was guarded to KGB from work

Ihar Sliadzeuski is the father of Katsiaryna Sliadzeuskaya, a civil activist who was sentenced to 10 days of arrest for participation in the protest rally in Minsk on 19 December. He is also the owner of the apartment that is rented by a civil activist Yury Bakur that was searched in connection with the criminal case upon Article 293 ‘mass riot’.

10.01.2011 UN admits use of torture against under-age person by Belarusian police

The UN Human Rights Committee recorded infringement of civil rights of minor convicted dweller of Homel in the course of proceedings.

10.01.2011 Maladechna: search at the Lazaraus’ apartment

The Maladechna apartment where the residence of two persons who had been sentenced to administrative arrest for participation in the 19 December protest rally Anastasiya Lazarava and Piatro Lazarau, was searched. However, they don’t live there and there are no computers and information carriers. That’s why the investigators just examined the books and offered to surrender arms.

10.01.2011 Minsk: search at the apartment of Halina Yuryna

At 3 p.m. the apartment of an activist of the electoral team of Andrei Sannikau, Halina Yuryna, was searched. She opened the door to the investigators after the threats to smash the door.

10.01.2011 New suspects in mass riot case

19-year-old student of Minsk Polytechnic College Illia Vasilevich served 10-day arrest for participation in the protest action of 19 December. He was informed that the college administration decided to expel him. On 5 January he was invited for a talk with the administration. However, there he was detained by KGB officers who told that he was a suspect in the criminal case. At first the guy was taken to the pre-trial prison in Akrestsin Street and then – to another one, in Valadarski Street, where he is kept at the moment.

10.01.2011 Belarusian Front Party is deprived of office

BPF received a letter from the housing economy of the Savetski district of Minsk during the New Year holidays. The letter prescribes the party to vacate the occupied premises due to the expiry of the rent agreement. The housing economy also informs it will not conclude a new agreement, allegedly due to the untimely payment of the rent during the last three months.

10.01.2011 Searches at apartments of civil activists in Brest

At 8.50 a.m. on 10 January two unidentified people who called themselves KGB officers tried to get into the apartment of the Brest activist Andrei Sharenda. However, he refused to let them in without the local police inspector.

10.01.2011 Journalist Andrei Pachobut beaten by Hrodna KGB

Andrei Pachobut, a journalist for Gazeta Wyborcza and a popular Belarusian blogger, was detained by special task forces in Hrodna on 8 January, guarded to a KGB department, and beaten by KGB officers at the questioning.

10.01.2011 KGB prisoners aren't allowed to meet with their lawyers for 12 days already

Lawyers of a presidential candidate Andrei Sannikau, a European Belarus coordinator Dzmitry Bandarenka, journalists Iryna Khalip and Natallia Radzina, met with their clients for the last time on 29 December 2010 when their clients were filed charges.