The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for January 2011

26.01.2011 Detention of activist Dziadok extended till 6 March

The detention of Mikalai Dziadok, accused in the anarchists’ case, has been extended till 6 March.

26.01.2011 Activist Mirzayanau is another suspect in mass riot case

Fiodar Mirzayanau, detained on 25 January by the KGB, has been declared another suspect in the mass riot criminal case.

25.01.2011 General Prosecutor’s Office misinforms Belarusian citizens and international community

The persons in custody at the KGB pre-trial prison are provided with access to legal protection and visits by their relatives, says Belarusian General Prosecutor’s Office spokesman in an interview with the BelaPAN news agency. However, according to information of the Human Rights center “Viasna”, the statement of the prosecuting authorities is not true.

25.01.2011 Polish lawyers support Belarusian advocates

The Human Rights Commission of the Supreme Council of the Bar Association of Poland has released a statement, expressing its deep concern over the recent facts, when the arrested after the 19 December protest, including four former presidential candidates, have been unable to access their legal counsels.

25.01.2011 Independent journalist summoned for interrogation (updated)

Aliaksandr Ulitsionak, journalist of the “Svobodnye Novosti” independent weekly, has been summoned for interrogation to KGB.

25.01.2011 Martin Uggla: “We should demand the release of political prisoners now, but that is not enough…”

Martin Uugla, chair of the Östgruppen Swedish Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights, was not allowed to enter Belarus during the recent political campaign of 2010. In his interview, Mr. Martin Uugla speaks on the current situation in Belarus and evaluates the working conditions of Belarusian human rights defenders.

25.01.2011 Minsk student detained for interrogation by KGB

On 25 January, Fiodar Mirzayanau, student of the Belarusian State Economic University, has been reportedly detained and taken to KGB department for interrogation.

24.01.2011 Prisoner threatened with bodily harm during interrogation

Youth activist Eduard Lobau, facing criminal charges for alleged violence against two persons, has been interrogated by KGB officers at Zhodzina pre-trial prison.

24.01.2011 No Swiss Skiing for Lukashenko: Swiss human rights group demands an entry ban for the Belarusian president

Human rights group Libereco – Partnership for Human Rights urges the Swiss government to immediately impose an entry ban on the Belarusian president Lukashenko and further high ranking officials of Belarus. The reason therefor is the detention of dozens of political prisoners and the massive intimidation campaign against the civil society.

24.01.2011 U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State meets Viasna activists

Today Thomas Melia, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, had a meeting with the activists of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”. The meeting dealt with the recent wave of harassment against the families of detainees, currently in custody in the KGB prison.

24.01.2011 Brest prosecuting authorities issue warning to local residents

Two Brest residents, sisters Yulia and Katsiaryna Pashkos have been officially warned by local Prosecutor’s Office.

24.01.2011 KGB search flat of Mazyr civil activist Tseliapun

On 21 January, Mazyr KGB searched the private apartment of local human rights activist Uladzimir Tseliapun. The KGB officers reportedly seized a personal computer and a number of DVDs.

24.01.2011 KGB detains journalist Henadz Barbarych

A journalist Henadz Barbarych was detained in the club named after Dziarzhynski. He was taking interviews of the prisoners' wives. The KGB officers approached him, asked his documents and the aim of his being there. Then they took him with them.

24.01.2011 Four anarchists to stay in jail until spring

The term of detention of the four social activists arrested in autumn has been prolonged. Mikalai Dzyadok will stay in jail until March 6 and the term of the investigation of his case has been prolonged until April 9. Ihar Alinevich, Maxim Vetkin and Alyaksandr Frantskevich will stay behind bars until April.

21.01.2011 More searches and interrogations across Belarus

Belarusian KGB officers keep searching the private apartments of civil and political activists, referring to investigative activities in the so called 19 December mass riot criminal case.