The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

11.04.2011 Weekly review of post-election situation in Belarus (4-10 April)

The recent social and political developments in the country have been accompanied by certain economic instability, with gradual increase in exchange rates and rush demand on the foreign currency and food markets. The 19 December 2010 “mass riot” criminal case is still underway: the Interior Ministry has announced the termination of the preliminary investigation activities. The case files of former presidential candidates Mikalai Statkevich and Dzmitry Us have been submitted to courts for consideration. Four more persons involved in the case – Zmitser Bandarenka, Pavel Seviarynets, Iryna Khalip and Siarhei Martsaleu – are now facing milder charges. Minsk City Court dismissed the appeals by Aliaksandr Atroshchankau, Dzmitry Novik and Aliaksandr Malchanau, who had been earlier convicted under Art. 293 of the Criminal Code. The General Prosecutor’s Office refused to initiate criminal proceedings following a torture report by former presidential candidate Ales Mikhalevich. Andrzej Poczobut, journalist and activist of the opposition Union of Poles, faces charges under two criminal articles – Par. 1 Art. 386 (“insult of President”) and Par. 1 Art. 367 (“libel of President”). Two KGB prisoners – UCP leader Anatol Liabedzka and “Tell the Truth” activist Aliaksandr Fiaduta – were released on recognizance.

01.04.2011 Violent detention of participant of 19 December rally

A Slutsk resident, Vadzim Ramanau, was detained and beaten in an apartment in Bialetski Street in Minsk.

28.03.2011 Mahiliou court convicts journalist and BPF leader

On 28 March, Mahiliou Leninski District Court sentenced Uladzimir Laptsevich, reporter of the BelaPAN news agency, to 7 days of administrative arrest for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

28.03.2011 Weekly review of post-election situation in Belarus (March 21-27)

On 22 March, two Minsk courts opened the hearings on politically motivated criminal cases: Young Front leaders Zmitser Dashkevich and Eduard Lobau faced charged for malicious hooliganism and were eventually convicted (Dashkevich was sentenced to 2 years and Lobau – to 4 years in a high-security penal colony). The trial of youth opposition activist Mikita Likhavid accused of participation in the 19 December 2010 mass riot was postponed till 29 March. An unprecedented number of police employees (31) act as victims in the case. The historic 25 March Freedom Day anniversary was marked by harsh repressions against opposition and independent media. Meanwhile, the authorities banned all opposition rallies across the country, preventing local activists from going to Minsk. Two journalists were sentenced to administrative arrests – Aliaksandr Lashmankin (editor of the Russian Svoboda news agency) and BelaPAN Mahiliou reporter Ales Asiptsou. Another journalist Uladzimir Laptsevich is currently in custody awaiting trial on similar charges.

28.03.2011 Young Front activist detained in Brest

On 26 March, Brest police detained local activist of the Young Front opposition movement Ms. Palina Panasiuk.

28.03.2011 Former presidential hopeful to initiate referendum on Lukashenka’s resignation

Former presidential hopeful, Vitsebsk entrepreneur Uladzimir Pravalski believes President Aliaksandr Lukashenka should step down due to lack of confidence among voters, addressing Belarusian citizens with an appeal to join a campaign for launching a referendum on Lukashenka’s resignation.

25.03.2011 Police detain Pavel Seviarynets’ mother

Tatsiana Seviarynets, mother of opposition leader Pavel Seviarynets, has been reportedly detained outside her house in Minsk.

25.03.2011 Verdict to Parfiankou upheld

On 25 March, Minsk City Court considered the cassational appeal by Vasil Parfiankou, convicted of involvement in the 19 December 2010 mass riot, and upheld the 4-year sentence by an inferior court.

25.03.2011 Administrative prosecution of Mahiliou 17-year-old opposition activist closed

On 24 March, Mahiliou juvenile delinquency commission considered the administrative case of local opposition activist Hanna Shkadun, charged with participation in an unauthorized solidarity picket on 16 January 2011. As a result, the charges were withdrawn due to the expiry of the statute of limitation.

24.03.2011 Vitsebsk police detain local opposition activists

On 24 March, Vitsebsk city police detained local opposition activist Siarhei Kavalenka for staging an unauthorized picket in the central Lenin Street.

23.03.2011 Hrodna police issue numerous warnings to local pro-dem activists ahead of Freedom Day

At least eight Hrodna pro-democratic activists have been warned by the city police about possible prosecution for involvement in the 25 March Freedom Day celebrations in Minsk.

23.03.2011 Judge Shykarou fines Vitsebsk activist Khamaida for third time

On 23 March, Vitsebsk opposition activist Barys Khamaida was fined BYR 1,050,000 for allegedly arranging an unauthorized picket in the city center. This is Khamaida’s third fine within a month on the similar charges pronounced by the same judge Uladzislau Shykarou of Vitsebsk Chuhynachny Court.

23.03.2011 Minsk prosecuting officials admit violation of search procedures

Human rights defender Vital Amialkovich received a reply by Minsk City Prosecutor’s Office, admitting violations of legal procedures during a search at his apartment in early January 2011.

23.03.2011 Babruisk activists detained for 25 March leaflets

Babruisk police detained four local activists – Volha Pimanava, Taisia Kabanchuk, Halina Smirnova and Maksim Ryzhkevich – as they were distributing leaflets advertising the forthcoming 25 March celebrations.