Marinich intends to come back to active political life

Mikhail Marinich, released on April 14, was brought to his apartment by militia car. Mr Marinich commented that he would take come rest, fix his health and come back to civil and political life.

Mikhail Marinich, former mayor of Minsk, ex minister of economic relations and Ambassador to Latvia, was detained in April 2004 and in December 2004 sentenced to 5 years of prison for the alleged misappropriation of computers granted by the American Embassy to Marinich-run NGO “Business Initiative”. US Embassy declared that they had no claims against Mr Marinich regarding computers; however Belarusian court did not take this statement into account.

Apart from computers, Marinich’s case initially included other charges – illegal storage of weapon, big amounts of unaccounted currency and theft of documents of state secret.full text

Rally in Moscow in support of freedom of speech

Civil rally in support of freedom of speech was organized at Pushkin Square by the initiative group “I am free”. According to the radio station “Echo of Moscow” there were mainly journalists participating at the action. Many of them spoke about lack of possibilities to speak freely about what was going on in the country.

All action participants were called to get together in Moscow center to protest against censorship on Independence Day on June 12.

Protests in Minsk on April 16

building and opened copies of Belarusian Constitution to read. The action lasted for 15 minutes and was aimed to express protest against changes into the Constitution which allowed Lukashenka to run for the third presidential term.

Along with the flash-mob, there was a picket in front of Russian Embassy with a demand to Russia to cease its support to Lukashenka, which lasted for about 40 minutes. Several hundred people took part in this action – among them a journalist Irina Khalip, Belarusian politicians Liudmila Griaznova and Tatjana Vanina, protesters from the tent camp, students activists of political parties and youth movements. After the picket many participants went to Niamiha to lit up solidarity candles.

Valdas Adamkus supported the initiative of the International Public Tribunal for Lukashenka

Participants of tent camp protests, who took part at Vilnius round table on non-violence resistance on April 14, met with Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus. Lithuanian president expressed his support and gratitude to Belarusians who were protecting their right to free choice following elections on March 19. Valdas Adamkus also expressed his support to the initiative of International Public Tribunal for Lukashenka.

Anatolij Lebedko initiated creation of the International Public Tribunal for Lukashenka

Anatolij Lebedko initiated creation of the International Public Tribunal for Lukashenka regime. UCP leader spoke about that at the round table “Lessons of non-violent resistance in Belarus and its perspectives” organized in Vilnius on April 14.

As Anatolij Lebedko pointed out, the initiative would be broader than the topic set forth for the round table discussion. However this initiative would be connected to Belarusian past and future, and would involve the interests of main political players. There have been talks about topicality of such initiative, but now it is time to act, pointed Anatolij Lebedko.full text

Amnesty International calls to support Anton Filimonov

Amnesty International informed about the release of Anton Filimonov, a son of assassinated journalist Veronika Cherkasova. He spent several difficult months in prison and was under pressure to plead himself guilty in killing his mother.

Amnesty International calls all friends to express their solidarity with Anton and send him a letter or a postcard at the address: Anton Filimonov, Knorina Str 8-33, 220049 Minsk, Belarus.

Criminal case against Baranovichi Young Front activists

Yesterday KGB searched the apartments of Baranovichi activists of unregistered youth organization Young Front Sergej Marchik, Andrej Jurutj and Viktor Kisliuk.

Young people were informed about a criminal action started on April 10. KGB confiscated computers, CDs and printed materials. Sergej Marchik is an accused in the case. Andrej Jurutj and Viktor Kisliuk are witnesses. However, witnesses can also easily become the accused.

Activists had to sign papers on non-disclosure of the details of investigation. Sergej Marchik asked for a lawyer and his questioning was postponed till the next week. Questioning was conducted by the investigator Mitrokhovich Dmitrij Petrovich.

Andrej Jurutj and Viktor Kisliuk are second-year students at financial law department of Baranovichi State University. Sergej Marchik was excluded for this university earlier this year for political reasons.