15.08.2011 Zhlobin protester fined

On 12 August, Raman Chuyashou, resident of Zhlobin, Homel region, was fined BYR 770,000 for participation in a “silent protest”, Radio Free Europe/Radio Europe reports.

15.08.2011 Azerbaijan civil society demands to release Bialiatski

Representatives of 23 Azerbaijani civil society groups have addressed Belarusian President Lukashenka with an open letter demanding to get the criminal case of Ales Bialiatski under his personal control and take every measure possible to promptly release the prominent Belarusian human rights defender.

15.08.2011 Ales Bialiatski’s detention extended by 2 months

The detention of Ales Bialiatski has been extended by two months after he was officially charged under Par. 2 Art. 243 of the Criminal Code ("concealment of profits on an especially large scale”) on 12 August.

15.08.2011 Statement of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Belarus

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic expresses its deepest concern over the yesterday’s arrest of Aliaksandr Bialiatski, President of Human Rights Center Viasna and Vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights.

15.08.2011 Send a letter of support to Ales Bialiatski!

The Human Rights Center “Viasna” would like to thank all those who have sent letters to Ales Bialiatski, who is currently in custody in Minsk pre-trial center.

15.08.2011 Belarusian Helsinki Committee can be closed down as well

The Justice Ministry of Belarus threatens to use severe measures of responsibility against the Belarusian Helsinki Committee.

15.08.2011 Homel human rights defender demands to prosecute local judge

On 11 August, Homel human rights defender Anatol Paplauny submitted an application to Belarus’ Prosecutor General Ryhor Vasilevich, urging the official to initiate criminal proceedings against judge Alena Tsalkova, the BelaPAN news agency reports.

15.08.2011 Baranavichy picketers face bureaucratic hurdles

Baranavichy activists are facing bureaucratic hurdles while appealing for holding pickets of support to Ales Bialiatski, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports quoting local human rights defender Siarhei Housha.

15.08.2011 Another mass riot trial convict released

Another person convicted of involvement in the 19 December 2010 post-election protest – Uladzimir Khamichenka – has been released from Mahiliou penal colony after he, together with 8 more convicts in the case, was pardoned by President’s decree.

15.08.2011 MEP Migalski not allowed to enter Belarus

Marek Migalski, member of the European Parliament, was not allowed to enter Belarus last night, the PAP news agency reports.

15.08.2011 8 Square convicts released

The President's decreee on pardon concerns them.

14.08.2011 Ales Bialiatski's Biography

Ales (Aliaksandr) Viktaravich Bialiatski was born on 25 September 1962 in the town of Värtsilä in the Republic of Karelia, Russia, to Belarusian parents who had left Belarus for better salaries.

12.08.2011 Political prisoners’ relatives: Only economic sanctions will release people from prisons

Mothers and wives of the repressed Belarusians have addressed pro-democracy politicians and public in Belarus.

The full text of the address had been offered to charter97.org website”

12.08.2011 Washington says that fresh economic sanctions are not directed at people of Belarus

The United States' fresh economic sanctions against Belarusian enterprises "are not directed at the people of Belarus," the US Department of State said on August 11.

12.08.2011 Ales Bialiatski: “So far, I see it all as something unreal”

“I have been examined by a doctor. I have no complaints. So far, I see it all as something unreal”, says Ales Bialiatski in his first letter received by his wife after he was arrested on 4 August.