The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

The parents of Ivan Shyla, the “Young Front” activist who is serving a 22-day prison term in the delinquents’ isolation center in Akrestsin Street in Minsk, received only two out of the three letters he had sent them. Fellow activist from Salihorsk, who had sent letters of support to him, received them back with the mark “doesn’t reside”.

The Salihorsk authorities have recently banned six events organized by the local civil and political activists. The formal reason in all cases is alleged violation of Article 8 of the Law “On Mass Events” - placement of information about the actions on the web before their authorization.

Ivan Shyla, Deputy Chair of the Young Front, was detained on 13 July in the evening in the town supermarket. The hearings on his case started at the Salihorsk District Court Yesterday, but were postponed to 15 July after he demanded to be provided with advocatory services.

The Salihorsk Town Executive Committee didn't authorize the actions of protest against the economic crisis that were scheduled for 11-12 June. The TEC Chair Aliaksandr Rymasheuski explained it with “the absence of clarity concerning the form of holding the mass events”.

Uladzimir Shyla, father of the young activist, was informed about it by Ihar Masliak, investigator of especially important cases in the Minsk region. On 11 May the investigator phoned to the Shylas and asked about the whereabouts of the elder of the Shyla brothers, Ivan. However, he refused to tell the reasons for his interest. Though it is not a secret that Ivan studies in Poland, the investigator was very eager to receive a written confirmation from the parents.

Aliaksandr Rymasheuski, Chair of the Salihorsk District Executive Committee, banned the pickets For Stability, For Our President and Against Picket Bans which a democratic activist Uladzimir Shyla wanted to hold in the only place where such actions are allowed by the local authorities – the Budaunik stadium on 15-16 April.