Action demanding to amnesty political prisoners dispersed near House of Government

Activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” demanded to include participants of the Process of 14 in the amnesty.

An action on Independence square in front of the House of Government, where the “house of representatives” also seats, was held because the Belarusian “MPs” are going to adopt a draft law on amnesty on April 15. The Draft Law on Amnesty on the Occasion of the 65th Anniversary of Liberation Belarus from Nazi Troops was offered by Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Activists of the “European Belarus” campaign stood on Independence square holding a banner “Amnesty for participants of the Process of 14!” and shouting “Amnesty!” some minutes later securities of the House of Government called for a militia squad, and the oppositionists were guarded to the Maskouski district militia department.
Among the detained are Paval Yuknevich, Maksim Vinyarski, Katsyaryna Stsepanyuk, Aleh Ladutska, Uladz Ihnatovich, Marta Krylova, Palina Dzyakava, and Alyaksei Lyaukovich.

The young oppositionists spent some hours in the militia department and were relased without reports being drawn up.

The Case of Fourteen is a criminal case under article 342 of the Criminal Code of Belarus, instigated against participants of a peaceful protest demonstration of entrepreneurs held on January 10, 2008.

For participation in this protest a young activist Andrei Kim was sentenced to a year and a half in a penal colony (he was released in August 2008). An activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Alyaksandr Barazenka was sentenced to 1 year of restriction of liberty without sending him to a penal colony. He was kept in remand jail from October 27 to December 9, 2008. Other participants of the Process of Fourteen – Alyaksei Bondar, Artsyom Dubski, Mikhal Kryvau, Mikhal Pashkevich, Ales Straltsou, Ales Charnyshou, Tatsyana Tsishkevich, Mikhail Subach and Paval Vinahradau, were sentenced to 2 years of restriction of freedom without sending them to penitentiary institutions. Minor Maxim Dashuk got 1.5 years of restraint of liberty.

It should be noted that Artsyom Dubski has been under arrest for some months for alleged violation of rules of serving punishment.