The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News on the topic: arrest

05.05.2008 Maryia Tulzhankova taken to court right from state exam

25 March 2008 the 80th anniversary of Belarusian People’s Republic (so much disliked by the Belarusian authorities) was celebrated. Among other actions a historical excursion has been organized. Even this peaceful action was violently stopped by all-knowing police. Its participants were detained. Five of them served 7-15 days in jail.

02.05.2008 Mikola Statkevich sentenced to 10 days of jail

2 May judge Yury Harbatok sentenced Mikola Statkevich to 10 days of jail for participation in Labor Day action.

28.04.2008 Siarhei Tryfanau gets 10 days of jail

Navabelitski district court of Homel punished the last of the tried participants of the historical tour in Homel with 10 days of jail.

On March 23rd, about 20 people with white and red balloons walked around the places related to the life of Paluta Badunova, minister of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. The police videotaped the tour, and drew up reports against 8 people for violation of the order of organizing mass events.

25.04.2008 Maria Tulzhankova received 7 days of jail

On April 25th navabelitski court of Homel heard the case against Maria Tulzhankova. Judge Aleh Kharoshka sentenced the participant of the historical tour around Homel to 7 days of jail.

Earlier judge Aleh Kharoshka tried other participants ofteh historical tour dedicated to the anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. He sentenced Sviataslau Shapavalau to 10 days of jail, Aliaksandar Protska – to 7 days of jail, and pensioner Uladzimir Nepomniashchy – to 15 days of jail. Other participants of the tour were fined: Ivan Adamenka – 20 basic units, Zmitser Kutasau and journalist Tatsiana Bublikava – 15 basic units each.

Let us remind the readers, on March 23rd, about 20 people with white and red balloons walked around the places related to the life of Paluta badunova, minister of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. The police videotaped the tour, and drew up reports against 8 people for violation of the order of organizing mass events.

23.04.2008 Homel journalist tried for red coat and white balloons.

Pro-democratic activists Ivan Adamenka and Dzmitry Kutasau, and journalist Tatsiana Bublikava, were fined for participation in a tour dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. They received fines from 525, 000 to 700, 000 BYR.

Activists Aliaksandar Pratsko and Sviataslau Shapavalau will spend 7 and 10 days in jail, respectively. They were all found guilty of participation in a street demonstration and a picket. The police demonstrated a video as a proof of their participation.

04.04.2008 Amnesty International: Demonstrators beaten during Freedom Day march

Amnesty International condemns the reportedly excessive use of force by Belarusian security forces against demonstrators who had gathered in the capital, Minsk, on 25 March 2008. Up to two thousand people had gathered in a square in the centre of the city to mark the ninetieth anniversary of the short-lived independence of Belarus in 1918, which is now referred to by the political opposition as Freedom Day. The authorities had not sanctioned the demonstration and President Alexander Lukashenka’s government had vowed to prevent any public action to mark the occasion.

03.04.2008 Vitsebsk Oppositionists Indignant at Prison Conditions

The members of the Conservative-Christian Party Belarusian People’s Front Ales Pazniak and Yan Taupyha have been released from Vitsebsk pre-trial jail after eight-day of arrest for participation in the Freedom Day action on 25 March.

03.04.2008 10 Days of Jail for Picketing Russian Embassy

2 April youth activists (mainly representatives of the Jeans – For Freedom movement) attempted to hold a picket near the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation in Minsk. They brought with them a white-red-white flag and a banner No to Russia – Yes to EU. The action was dedicated to the official Day of consolidation of the Russian and the Belarusian people.

02.04.2008 Marachkin Wants His Paintings Back

1 April Aliaksei Marachkin, painter and public activist, chairman of the international organization World Association of the Belarusians "Batskaushchyna" addressed the Tsentralny district police department of Minsk for getting back the confiscated artworks. On 29 March he was released from jail. Marachkin was arrested for five days on charges in dirty swearing and resisting to the police.

02.04.2008 KGB blackmails students

KGB workers visited some of the persons who were arrested on 25 March 2008 for participation in the peaceful rally dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic.

01.04.2008 Amnesty International condemns beatings at Freedom Day celebration

The international human rights organization has issued an official note concerning the events of 25 March in Minsk.

28.03.2008 Young Front member Andrus Tsianiuta goes on hunger strike in jail

Today one of the leaders of Belarusian Christian Democratic movement Paval Seviarynets received a phone call (!) from Andrus Tsianiuta, head of Homel Young Front. Tsianiuta was calling from jail, and said he continued his hunger strike protesting against illegal detention.

26.03.2008 Trials on March 26th end

Savetski, Zavadski, Maskouski, and Partyzanski courts of Minsk finished trials over participants of the celebration of peaceful rally detained on March 25th. The courts considered 75 administrative cases, 26 of which ended with arrests. The judges gave from 5 to 15 days of jail to the action participants. Two trials are postponed for March 27th (the cases against journalist Andrei Liankevich and Zmitser Yasevich). Two of the detained – Yaraslau Hryshchenia and Yuras Karetnikau – are receiving medical treatment. In general, about 20 people received injuries.

26.03.2008 Trials over detained activists continue (updated)

Minsk courts are busy with trials over the activists detained during the peaceful rally yesterday. The rally was to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic 1. Adamovich (Zavodski court, fined 30 basic units, judge Alena Laptseva) 2. Afnahel, Yauhen (Savetski police department severely beaten, Savetski court, judge Aksana Reliava, 10 days of jail) 3. Akimau, Vital (Savetski police department, Savetski court, 15 days of jail)