28.08.2012 Zmitser Dashkevich sentenced to one more year in prison

Zmitser Dashkevich, leader of the Young Front movement serving his two-year sentence in a penal colony in the town of Hlybokaye, Vitsebsk region, has been sentenced to one more year in jail on charges of violating prison regime.

23.08.2012 Another criminal case opened against independent journalist

IC opened a criminal case against journalist Mikalai Piatrushenka for "insulting a government official".

21.08.2012 Amnesty International: Men released on bail still face prison

After spending more than a month in detention, Anton Suryapin and Syarhei Basharimau were released on bail on 17 August. They still face a prison sentence of up to seven years on charges in connection to the ‘teddy bear stunt’ by Swedish advertising company calling for freedom of expression in Belarus.

21.08.2012 German MP: charge against Anton Surapin must be completely withdrawn

20. August 2012 – Release of Anton Suryapin Photographer Anton Suryapin and another young man, Siarhei Basharymau, who were arrested by the KGB following the July 4 teddy bear drop were released on 17 August on their own recognizance.

20.08.2012 Court on a new criminal case of Dashkevich will be held on August 28

Closed session will be held on August 28 in the penal colony № 13 of Glubokoe city. This was reported by the press-service of the "Young Front".

18.08.2012 Anton Surapin and Siarhei Basharymau released on recognizance

On August 17, 2012 Siarhei Basharymau and Anton Surapin, realtor and journalist facing charges under Par. 6 Art. 16 and Par. 3 Art. 371 of the Criminal Code, have been released on recognizance, the KGB official web-site reports.

15.08.2012 Human Rights Defenders join the campaign of the Belarusian Association of Journalists for the release of Siarhei Basharymau and Anton Surapin

The Human Rights Center “Viasna” joined the initiative of the Belarusian Association of Journalists aimed at the change of the restraint to journalist Anton Surapin who has been kept in the pre-trial prison of the KGB since 13 July. The human rights defenders also solicit for the change of the restraint to real estate agent Siarhei Basharymau, who, together with Surapin, received charges of assistance to unlawful crossing of the state boundary of the Republic of Belarus (Part 6 of Article 16 and Part 3 of Article 371 of the Criminal Code) and their release on bail.

10.08.2012 Political prisoner Dashkevich to stand new trial soon

Imprisoned “Young Front” leader Zmitser Dashkevich has studied the materials of a new criminal case against him – for “repeated failure to obey prison authorities”, RFE/RL reports.

27.07.2012 Pavel Sapelka: Situation with Anton Surapin’s detention in KGB prison reminds of December 2010

Human rights lawyer Pavel Sapelka says the current situation of journalist Anton Surapin, who has been reportedly denied access to his lawyer for two days, may repeat the events of December 2010, when persons arrested on charges of involvement in mass riots were not able to meet their counsels for weeks.

27.07.2012 Lawyer has no access to Surapin for two days

A lawyer was not allowed to see his client Anton Surapin in the KGB jail on July 25 and 26.

BelaPAN learned it from the mother of the jailed photographer.

26.07.2012 German MP takes on prisoner’s godparenthood for Anton Surapin

Bijan Djir-Sarai, Member of the German Bundestag and of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, has taken on a prisoner’s godparenthood for Anton Surapin.

24.07.2012 “Viasna” demands to release Anton Surapin and Siarhei Basharymau

The Human Rights Center “Viasna” views the arrest and detention of Anton Surapin and Siarhei Basharymau as an escalation of fear in society and an attempt to shift responsibility for the improper protection of state borders and airspace to ordinary citizens.

24.07.2012 Amnesty International urges Belarus to release “teddy bear” free speech activist

A photographer and journalism student faces up to seven years in prison after posting pictures of a stunt involving teddy bears to draw attention to violations of freedom of expression in Belarus, prompting Amnesty International to call for his immediate release.

24.07.2012 Basharymau presented with charges, Surapin – not yet

Anton Surapin's 10-day term in custody has expired today, but he has not been released.

24.07.2012 Minsk City Court upholds jail sentence for opposition activist Parfyankow

The Minsk City Court on July 24 turned down opposition activist Vasil Parfyankow’s appeal against a six-month jail sentence imposed on him for violating the terms of “preventive” police supervision.