20.01.2010 Human Rights Watch declares Autukhovich, Asipenka and Liavonau prisoners of conscience

In its annual report, the New-York-based Human Rights Watch international organizations declared Mikalai Autukhovich, Uladzimer Asipenka, Yury Liavonau and Artsiom Dubski prisoners of conscience. The report highlights an increasing number of attacks against human rights activists and NGOs across the world in 2009.

20.01.2010 Brest court turns down claim by local activist

Brest Leninski Court turned down a complaint lodged by Uladzimir Andrashchuk against a city executive committee official Viachaslau Khafizau, following a ban to hold a demonstration on the International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2009, European Radio for Belarus reports.

20.01.2010 Autukhovich’s trial to be open

The consideration of Mikalai Autukhovich’s case will be open to the public, the Interfax news agency reports quoting Belarusian Prosecutor General Ryhor Vasilevich. ‘The trial is to commence in the near future – early February,’ said the official.

20.01.2010 Article 193-1 meets law, says Prosecutor General

Article 193-1 does not run counter to the Belarusian legislative and Constitutional standards, said Prosecutor General Ryhor Vasilevich during a press-conference on 20 January. ‘I do not think that it pointedly stands out of the legal framework,’ said the official.

20.01.2010 Belarusian student from Estonia on holidays hunted by policemen

Homel-based young activist Ihar Slucak, who studies in Estonia, during his holidays in Belarus faces pressure of the authorities.

As informed by Radio Svaboda, Ihar Sluchak is set to participate in local elections in spring.