The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

Minsk courts pronounced 7 more verdicts in the mass riot criminal case: former presidential candidates Mikalai Statkevich and Dzmitry Us were sentenced to 6 and 5.5 years of imprisonment respectively, Aliaksandr Klaskouski – 5 years, Artsiom Hrybkou – 4 years. Andrei Pazniak was released in the courtroom after he was sentenced to 2 years of compulsory labour without direction to a penal colony. Radio Racyja board chair Yauhen Wapa was not allowed entering Belarus and his visa was cancelled without any explanations. Minsk police detained 7 participants, including 4 human rights defenders, of a round table meeting on the issues of reforming Belarusian Internal Affairs system. President Lukashenka called upon officials to close down the media “engaged in creating panic” in consumer and currency markets.

Seven human rights defenders were detained this morning at the BPF Minsk office, where a seminar on detention conditions was expected to take place.

The chief department of justice of Mahiliou regional executive committee denied state registration to local public association “Mahiliou Center for Strategic Development Impulse” due to alleged inaccuracies in the NGO’s registration papers, namely certain financial allegations.

Brest human rights defender Raman Kisliak received a reply to his complaint against reported use of violence by the city police as Mr. Kisliak was forced to undergo fingerprinting examination.

On 26 May, Minsk Leninski District Court presided by judge Mrs. Liudmila Hrachova pronounced verdicts in another trial of participants of the 19 December 2010 post-election protest.

Three trials of 16 participants of the 19 December 2010 post-election events were finished last week, 9 defendants were convicted under Par. 1 Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of activities that breach the public order, or active participation in them). On 16 May sentences were handed down to Iryna Khalip, Pavel Seviarynets and Siarhei Martseleu, on 20 May – to Uladzimir Niakliayeu, Siarhei Vazniak, Aliaksandr Fiaduta, Vital Rymasheuski, Andrei Dzmitryeu and Nasta Palazhanka. The verdicts appeared to be rather mild, as compared to the previous ones: those were mostly suspended imprisonment or probation. The pronouncement of sentences to seven more persons involved in the criminal proceedings on riots charges were postponed, including 2 presidential candidates Mikalai Statkevich and Dzmitry Us.