The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for January 2008

17.01.2008 Alena Miadzvedzeva detained in Babruisk

Alena Miadzvedzeva was detained at Babruisk district police station at 3 p.m. She was invited to come to the police station over the phone by allegedly head of the police department. We do not know the reasons for her detention. Alena Miadzvedzeva told the journalists over the phone the police was taking her to Minsk. Now she does not answer her cell phone.

17.01.2008 15 days of arrest to Yuras Stankevich for disorderly conduct

The trial over Yuras Stankevich, resident of Maryina Horka, is over. Tatsiana Pauliuchuk sentenced the activist to 15 days of jail under article 17.1 of the Administrative Code (disorderly conduct).

17.01.2008 Kasia Krasnova receives 15 days, Maksim Viniarski is next

Centralny court of Minsk began hearing of the administrative case against Maksim Viniarski, activist of the “Jeans – for freedoom” campaign.

17.01.2008 Katsiaryna Krasnova under trail

Centralny court of Minsk started hearings against Katsiaryna Krasnova, activist of Young Front. She is accused of participation in an unauthorized action of solidarity yesterday at Kastrychnitskaya Square in Minsk (article 23.34 of the Administrative Code).

17.01.2008 Anton Kalinouski gets 10 days of arrest, Kasia Halitskaya – 15 days

The trial over member of BPF Party Anton Kalinouski is over. The hearing was to be postponed until later because the witnesses were absent. However, the judge decided not to suspend the shameful conveyor and sentenced Kalinouski to 10 days of arrest.

17.01.2008 Maksim Viniarski gets 10 days of jail from Judge Tatsiana Pauliuchuk

Centralny court of Minsk began hearing of the administrative case against Maksim Viniarski, activist of the “Jeans – for freedoom” campaign. He was detained yesterday together with Paval Kuryanovich, at the entrance of the court building. The police claim he was using foul language.

17.01.2008 Police hinders reporters’ work in Centralny court of Minsk

The police used violence in the attempt to hinder the work of Nasha Niva’s photo journalist Yulia Darashkevich. Darashkevich was taking pictures in the building of Centralny court of Minsk, where youth activists detained yesterday were tried.

17.01.2008 Franak Viachorka sentenced to 15 days of jail

Infamous judge of Centralny court of Minsk Tatsiana Pauliuchuk sentenced Franak Viachorka to 15 days of jail. The BPF Youth activist was detained on January 16th and charged with usage of foul language during detention (article 17.1 of the Administrative Code).

16.01.2008 Miklashevich Proposes to Humanize Legislation

On January 16th Belarusian Prosecutor General Piotr Miklashevich answered the questions of journalists about the celebrated criminal cases and the work of the Prosecutor’s General Office in 2007.

16.01.2008 Karen Akopau detained in Sukharava district, Minsk

He is accused of participation in an unauthorized mass event

16.01.2008 Activist demands to punish head of culture department

According to Leanid Autukhou, official Volha Kauryha violated Article 9.22 of the Administrative Code by creating “obsticles and limitations for the usage of the Belarusian language”.

16.01.2008 More Detentions in Mahiliou

Police detained Yauhen Boyka

16.01.2008 Viacorka: Authorities prepare legal basis for liquidation of political parties

“We are well-aware of the fact that the authorities are preparing legal basis for liquidation of our parties. We will react as a united force, in the most resolute way. We will prepare new actions”, -- Vincuk Viacorka states.