The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

17.05.2012 Opposition Activist Escorted to Army from Jail

Mikhail Muski was escorted from the jail in Minsk to an air defence unit near Liepel to do the compulsory military service.

16.05.2012 Hrodna officials keep restricting freedom of assembly

Hrodna city executive committee keeps violating the Mass Events Code by either denying local pro-democratic activists’ rights to stage pickets and meetings or failing to authorize the events in due time.

15.05.2012 "Young Front" activists: detained, beaten, sentenced to arrest

On 14 May the apartment rented by the "Young Front" activists Mikalai Dzemidzenka, Zmitser Kremianetski and Raman Vasiliieu was assaulted by the riot police. The activists were beaten, detained and taken away in an unknown direction.

14.05.2012 Police burst into apartment of “Young Front” activists

Riot police burst into an apartment rented by “Young Front” activists Mikola Dzemidzenka, Zmitser Kramianetski and Raman Vasiliieu. The youngsters were detained and taken away in unknown direction. The keys from the apartment were taken away as well.

14.05.2012 Mikhail Muski arrested for 5 days more

On 11 May "Young Front" activist Mikhail Muski was to have been released from jail after serving 15-day arrest term. However, instead he was taken to the Maskouski District Court of Minsk and sentenced to 5 days arrest for "disorderly conduct" (Article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Violations) by Judge Viktar Kazak. Testimonies were given by police officers A. Davidziuk and S. Savuhin. According to the detention report, he was detained near "Altair" shop.

10.05.2012 “Young Front” activists fined for throwing eggs at Lenin

The court of the Maskouski district of Minsk satisfied in part the claim by communists Mikalai Yushchanka and Mikalai Valovich.

10.05.2012 Military enlistment offices ordered to draft "Young Front" activists at any cost

At the beginning of the spring draft campaign Pavel Siarhei, who had been expelled from Maladzechna State Polytechnic College after serving an arrest term, started receiving summons to the military enlistment office. Despite the health problems, at which he pointed during the medical examination, he was told that he would serve in the army, as there was a special order about him.

07.05.2012 Babruisk activists intend to picket for transparent elections

“We want to inform Babruisk residents that there are no fair elections in Belarus. If the authorities allow us picket at the central market, we will prepare leaflets and will talk to the people,” says one of the action organizers, the head of the Babruisk organization of the United Civil Party Viktar Buzinayeu.

03.05.2012 Communists vs. "Young Front": continuation of court proceedings

On 3 May the trial of the "Young Front" activists Mikhail Muski, Pavel Siarhei and Raman Vasiliieu, detained for throwing eggs at the monument to Lenin in Minsk, continued at the Maskouski District Court of Minsk

02.05.2012 Police don't hurry to return Vadzim Kabanchuk's car

Minsk police still haven't returned the car to the member of the steering committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Vadzim Kabanchuk. The car had been detained on the eve of the Freedom Day action, on 25 March. Some printed materials and a streamer were confiscated as a result.

30.04.2012 Another Young Front activist convicted

On 28 April, Minsk Savetski District Court sentenced Young Front activist Zmitser Kremianetski to seven days of administrative arrest for alleged violation of public order outside the court building where other Young Front members were tried on 27 April, the Young Front’s press-service reports, quoting human rights defender Nasta Loika.

30.04.2012 Orsha authorities ban pickets again

Another ban on holding two pickets on May Day was received by Orsha activists of the United Leftist Party “Fair World”.

28.04.2012 Former political prisoner Yaromenak given 7 days in custody

Uladzimir Yaromenak, a Young Front activist, has been sentenced to 7 days in custody.

27.04.2012 Authorities ban May Day meetings

Minsk city executive committee has not sanctioned an opposition meeting on 1 May, says Valery Ukhnaliou, deputy chairman of the United Leftist Party “Fair World”.