News on the topic: criminal prosecution
26.10.2012 Arche Editor may face criminal charges
The case against the Arche magazine is a political order to destroy the edition, says its founder Andrei Dynko. According to him, the Belarusian authorities are looking for any reason to stop the printing of the independent magazine.
25.10.2012 Amnesty International: Urgent action needed as charges sustained against journalist Andrzej Poczobut
Charges against journalist Andrzej Poczobut of “libelling the President” have not been dropped. He still faces a prison sentence in Belarus of more than seven years. He has been targeted for his work as a journalist and for the legitimate exercise of his right to freedom of expression.
22.10.2012 Investigative Committee drops criminal charges against Mikalai Petrushenka
Vitsebsk regional office of the Investigative Committee has closed a criminal case against Mikalai Petrushenka, activist of the Nash Dom civil campaign, under Art. 369 of the Criminal Code (“insulting a representative of the authorities”).
22.10.2012 Investigation of Poczobut’s Defaming Lukashenka Extended
The Hrodna regional office of the Investigative Committee of Belarus has prolonged its investigation of a libel case against journalist Andrzej Poczobut until November 21.
16.10.2012 Orsha investigators keep harassing civil activist
Mikalai Petrushenka, activist of the Nash Dom civil campaign, is due to appear tomorrow for questioning at the Investigative Committee’s Orsha office.
15.10.2012 Belarusian border gurads tortured Indian migrants to obtain false testimonies against civil activist Vital Koush
On 4 September the civil activist from Brest Vital Koush received charges under Article 371-1, part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus – organization of unlawful migration, which envisages up to 7 years of imprisonment.
21.09.2012 Investigation of libel case against journalist Andrzej Poczobut extended until October 21
The Hrodna regional office of the Investigative Committee of Belarus has prolonged its investigation of a libel case against journalist Andrzej Poczobut until October 21.
29.08.2012 Investigation into Poczobut's case extended until September 21
Investigation into the case of Hrodna-based journalist Andrzej Poczobut, a correspondent for Gazeta Wyborcza, has been extended until September 21 “to carry out additional investigative procedures”.
28.08.2012 Zmitser Dashkevich sentenced to one more year in prison
Zmitser Dashkevich, leader of the Young Front movement serving his two-year sentence in a penal colony in the town of Hlybokaye, Vitsebsk region, has been sentenced to one more year in jail on charges of violating prison regime.
23.08.2012 Another criminal case opened against independent journalist
IC opened a criminal case against journalist Mikalai Piatrushenka for "insulting a government official".
21.08.2012 Amnesty International: Men released on bail still face prison
After spending more than a month in detention, Anton Suryapin and Syarhei Basharimau were released on bail on 17 August. They still face a prison sentence of up to seven years on charges in connection to the ‘teddy bear stunt’ by Swedish advertising company calling for freedom of expression in Belarus.
21.08.2012 German MP: charge against Anton Surapin must be completely withdrawn
20. August 2012 – Release of Anton Suryapin Photographer Anton Suryapin and another young man, Siarhei Basharymau, who were arrested by the KGB following the July 4 teddy bear drop were released on 17 August on their own recognizance.
20.08.2012 Court on a new criminal case of Dashkevich will be held on August 28
Closed session will be held on August 28 in the penal colony № 13 of Glubokoe city. This was reported by the press-service of the "Young Front".
18.08.2012 Anton Surapin and Siarhei Basharymau released on recognizance
On August 17, 2012 Siarhei Basharymau and Anton Surapin, realtor and journalist facing charges under Par. 6 Art. 16 and Par. 3 Art. 371 of the Criminal Code, have been released on recognizance, the KGB official web-site reports.
15.08.2012 Human Rights Defenders join the campaign of the Belarusian Association of Journalists for the release of Siarhei Basharymau and Anton Surapin
The Human Rights Center “Viasna” joined the initiative of the Belarusian Association of Journalists aimed at the change of the restraint to journalist Anton Surapin who has been kept in the pre-trial prison of the KGB since 13 July. The human rights defenders also solicit for the change of the restraint to real estate agent Siarhei Basharymau, who, together with Surapin, received charges of assistance to unlawful crossing of the state boundary of the Republic of Belarus (Part 6 of Article 16 and Part 3 of Article 371 of the Criminal Code) and their release on bail.
