The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 24 Jan 2013

24.01.2013 Young Front member Uladzimir Yaromenak arrested for 12 days for violation of supervision

The Young Front activist will serve his sentence at the Minsk-based Delinquents Isolation Center in Akrestsin Street, the Young Front’s press-service reports.

24.01.2013 BCD Navapolatsk activists stand trial for taking pictures with Bialiatski’s portrait (updated)

Yauhen Parchynski and Siarhei Malashonak, Navapolatsk activists of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, are expected to stand trial today for illegal picketing. Local police says the evidence of the offense are the photos showing the activists with Ales Bialiatski’s portrait posted on a number of independent sites. Thus, the situation repeats that of Hrodna, where human rights defenders stood trial and were fined for doing the same thing.

24.01.2013 MEP Marek Migalski writes to Belarus’ MFA to request meeting with political prisoners

Member of the European Parliament Marek Migalski, who initiated a campaign of solidarity with two Belarusian political prisoners – leader of the “Young Front” Zmitser Dashkevich and former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich – has addressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asking for an opportunity to meet with them in prison.

24.01.2013 Homel human rights defenders appeal ban on picket in support of Bialiatski to Supreme Court

Homel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny, Leanid Sudalenka and former chairman of the city executive committee Sviatlana Holdade filed a joint complaint to Chairman of the Supreme Court Valiantsin Sukala, urging the high official to overturn the decision by local executive authorities to ban a picket expected to be held on August 4, 2012 as part of a campaign in support of human rights defender Ales Bialiatski, www.gomelspring.org reports.

24.01.2013 Mahiliou KGB unwilling to return camcorder seized after December 2010 events

Zmitser Salauyou, leader of Mahiliou regional office of the Belarusian Popular Front “Adradzhenne”, has received another response to his request to return his camcorder confiscated following the December 2010 post-election protest. This time the politician was advised to look for it in Minsk’s office of the Investigative Committee. Zmitser Salauyou is outraged by the attitude of special services.

24.01.2013 Deputy Prosecutor General: Sentence to Iryna Khalip does not contain direct prohibition on going abroad

“According to the court decision, there are no obstacles to travelling abroad. She should contact the corrections office of Minsk's Partyzanski district police department. She is under supervision of this agency. Khalip should file there an application. The office chief will examine it and make his decision,” deputy prosecutor general of Belarus Alyaksei Stuk told BelaPAN news agency.

24.01.2013 Supreme Economic Court rejects Platforma’s claim

The Supreme Economic Court rejected Platforma’s appeal thus ending the case of Platforma’s liquidation.

24.01.2013 Victim of violence still seeking prosecution of police officer

Sviatlana Viarheichyk was detained during a silent protest in 2011. She was then charged with alleged disorderly conduct. The lady was taken to Minsk Partyzanski District Police Department, where she was reportedly beaten by the department’s then-deputy chief A. Pazniak.

24.01.2013 United Civic Party leader appeals fine to Minsk City Court

Anatol Lyabedzka, leader of the United Civic Party (UCP), on Wednesday filed an appeal with the Minsk City Court against a fine imposed on him by a district court.

24.01.2013 Opposition activist in Homyel receives anonymous threats for displaying white-red-white flag over his house

Opposition activist Kanstantsin Zhukowski on Wednesday received anonymous threats for displaying Belarus' historically national white-red-white flag over his house in Homyel.