Political Prisoners in Belarus 2011-2013

Protests in Minsk Near Main Train Station in Summer 2011

Help to Free Belarus From Dictator Lukashenko & His Bandits!

Belarus - Zero Roubles - No One Goes Unpunished in Belarus!

Belarus - Zero Roubles - No One Goes Unpunished in Belarus!

Starting from April 28, 2011 illegitimate president of Belarus - the pretender Lukashenko signed a decree (number 666) which introduced a new monetary unit in his country which is called ZERO RUBLES. Also the same decree prohibited the celebration of the Independence Day in Belarus - July 3. No more holidays. This particular holiday was sold to Russia for $ 3 billion.

The new currency starts circulating in Belarus today. For this currency it's possible to buy anything Belarusian people do not want and do not need: a new president, a new government, a new Constitution & Law, human rights, democracy and progress ...

The events of the first four months of 2011 - a currency crisis, rising prices, a terrorist attack did not add any new popularity to an old Head of State. And, apparently, the problems in economy will grow. One gets the impression that the regime begins to lose control over the situation. In this situation, any alternative information it seems dangerous. Reaction to what is happening was scream from the government:
"Everyone - be silent!"

The last opposition newspapers "Nasha Niva" and "Narodnaya Volya" (People's Will) probably will be closed soon. And "cleansing" of the Internet has been started before and after of so called terrorist attack. Here comes a tipping to all mass media in Belarus: there is only one point of view - official ...

In a nutshell it can be described as simple: "more dictatorship and less and less the rule of law." As Lukashenko once mentioned: "excessive democracy explains the recent explosion in the subway". On Wednesday, April 27th, Minsk courts confirmed Lukashenko's words with practical solutions. One of the leaders of the opposition Dmitry Bondarenko was sentenced to two years in prison for organizing
December's meeting in protest against unfair re-election of Lukashenko.

Seven other former presidential candidates can be sentenced up to 10 years in prison. Wife of the presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov, journalist Irina Khalip will appear before judge on May 11th in Zavodskoi district of Minsk. The same day the other former presidential candidate - Nikolai Statkevich will be sentenced. Trial date will be another gift of the dictator Lukashenko to little Danik - son of ex-presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov and Irina Khalip. On May 15th Danik is going to celebrate his 4 years birthday. Judicial murder of his father Andrei Sannikov began yesterday on April 27th, 2011.

The plan of the dictator Lukashenko and his police regime is to pass severe sentences to the following SEVEN presidential candidates: Andrei Sannikov, Vladimir Neklliaev, Aleksei Mikhalevich (at present time he is in Czech Republic), Vladimir Nekliaev, Vitaly Rymashevsky, Nikolai Statkevich, and Dmitry Uss and then start bargaining with the West.

By harsh sentences the regime can show its uncompromising stand against any kind of alternative thinking. Dictator Lukashenko and his gang want to make it clear this time that no one would go unpunished in Belarus, so no one would fancy taking to the streets to protest. And the rest would happen as a backstage game with the West. We remember what was happening with Aleksander Kazulin, who was released from jail in 2008 and it thawed the relations between Belarus and Europe. There's nothing new in Lukashenko's game. He is not so smart to make it different.

So should economic sanctions be imposed on businesses of Lukashenka's family and friends?
94% of Belarusians say "Yes".

Deadly Blast Rocks Minsk Subway On April 11, 2011

MINSK, BELARUS

Police in Belarus carried out spot checks on roads and at stations and airports on Tuesday after a bomb blast tore through a crowded metro station in the capital Minsk on Monday evening, killing at least 12 people.

The defence ministry said 204 people were in hospital, 26 of them in a serious condition, after the rush-hour blast at one of Minsk's busiest underground rail junctions close to the presidential headquarters.

President Alexander Lukashenko, the autocratic leader who has led the ex-Soviet country since 1994, said on Monday night the explosion was an attempt to destabilize the country.

Authorities did not say who was behind the explosion - a rare act of wanton violence in the tightly policed country.

The explosive device, which had been packed with metal balls and had a strength equivalent to 5-7 kgs of TNT, was apparently left under a platform bench. About 300 people were on the spot when it exploded as a train came into the station, Interior Minister Anatoily Kuleshov said.

Lukashenko, who is at odds with the West over his authoritarian rule, linked the explosion to a previous unsolved blast in 2008, saying: "I do not rule out that this was a gift from abroad."

"These are perhaps links in a single chain," he said, referring to a blast in July 2008 when a home-made bomb wounded about 50 people at an open air concert he was attending. The 2008 crime was never solved.

Belarus's state security service put the death toll at 12 after the death of one injured person overnight. Wednesday was declared an official day of mourning.

The metro blast occurred as Belarus struggles with a damaging run on foreign currency which has prompted panic-buying.

Central Bank foreign currency reserves are at their lowest in two years and there is no new credit deal with the International Monetary Fund in sight.

"UNDERMINING STABILITY"

Lukashenko vowed on Monday to turn the country "inside-out" to find those responsible for the attack.

Lukashenko's re-election for a fourth term in December led to street protests that were broken up by police.

Belarus shares borders with EU members Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, and with Russia and Ukraine.

One opposition figure said he feared Lukashenko would use the blast to crack down even more harshly on political rivals.

"Prosecutors qualify this as a terrorist act," a source in Lukashenko's administration told Reuters.

A former state-farm boss, Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist, jailing opponents and muzzling independent media while offering generous welfare and pensions to his citizens on the back of Russian subsidies.

FLOWERS AND CANDLES

Monday's blast took place at around 6 p.m. at the Oktyabrskaya metro station - Minsk's busiest - about 100 metres (yards) from Lukashenko's main headquarters.

On Tuesday there was a reduced service running on Minsk's metro network and a heavy police presence at many stations.

People placed flowers and candles at the entry to Oktyabrskaya station in memory of the dead.

"I have a feeling of sadness and painful anger. This should not have happened to us. We are not the sort of country where this sort of thing happens," said Valentin Lepen, aged 70.

"My first feeling was fear and a sense of vulnerability because none of us are safe against this sort of thing," said Yuri Elensky.

"We are in shock. Nobody thought that anything like this could happen in Minsk, anywhere but here," said Natalya, 28.

The EU and the United States have imposed a travel ban on Lukashenko and his closest associates because of the Dec. 19 crackdown. He has said the opposition rally was an attempted coup financed by the West.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe monitors said the vote count was flawed and criticized police for being heavy-handed. The remarks angered Minsk, which forced the OSCE to close down its office there.

In typical combative style, Lukashenko hit back, defending the police, dismissing members of the opposition as being bent on "banditry" and denouncing the OSCE verdict as "amoral".

"Regardless of who organized and ordered the blast, the government will be tempted to use it as an excuse to tighten the screws... I am afraid they will use it," said Anatoly Lebedko, leader of the opposition United Civic Party.

Fascism is on the Rise in Belarus - in the Heart of Europe

Minsk, Belarus

On February 9, 2011 in Minsk, Belarus dictator Lukashenko has awarded five chief policemen for beating badly peaceful protesters on December 19, 2010. Five members of the Minsk militia were presented with the letters of appreciation with his signature. These letters were awarded to Colonel Igor Evseev, colonel Alexander Lukomskiy, colonel Victor Skurat, major Sergey Ivanov and Roman Kadin.

"At this crucial historical period, it is very important for me to lean on support of people like you - a true patriots, caring and loyal with warm hearts. Thank you for civic courage and active position in life "- says the message of the dictator in the letters of appreciation.

Meantime the Case of the Mass Protests in Minsk on December 19, 2010 (Bloody Sunday, as they call this day in Belarus) continues to grow as a snowball. On the list of defendants already 43 people, including seven ex-presidential candidates. Three former contestants - Andrey Sannikov, Aleksei Mikhalevich and Nikolai Statkevich still under arrest in KGB prison. Searches and arrests in Belarus continue every day. KGB investigators had already visited many opposition activists several times.

Human rights activists have told of torture and violence against opposition. On February 9th, 2011 Experts of the International Observation Mission Committee of International Control Over Human Rights situation in Belarus announced the results of the evidence-research conducted on the basis of information received from 205 people in Minsk from January 3rd to January 21st, 2011. The study analyzed 205 questionnaires answered by respondents who have been detained in the course of public action on the night of 19th to 20th of December 2010. Respondents' age from 18 to 61 years, 43 of them - women, 162 - men.

Experts assert with confidence that "the officials used violence and brutality in detentions. Violence has been applied to every fourth detainee and the acts of violence were accompanied by insults and humiliation of detainees. " It should be noted that most detainees were not resisting arrests, showing willingness to comply with the procedure of the arrest by policemen. At the same time representatives of the authorities in every sixth case of participation in the arrest did not have badges, and their faces were concealed under black masks.

Violation of judicial proceedings in administrative cases of detainees can be considered mainstream. Almost all so-called trials lasted an average of 5 to 15 minutes, while most of the detainees have never had a chance to defend themselves.

Judges conducted trials with many serious procedural violations under close doors. Lawyers hired by detainees' families were not admitted to the trials along with family members, journalists and the public. Judges refused to examine witnesses for the defense, and did not provide detainees with the explanation of the procedure to appeal their decisions.

Conditions of administrative detainees in all institutions, where they were, in many cases can be considered derogatory to human dignity. The cells were overcrowded, they were cold, ventilation was weak, the lighting was poor, and the amount of beds, bed linen and toiletries was not adequate. Drinking water was not provided, the quality of food was very low, the use of shower and exercise yards has been severely restricted and insufficient to maintain a normal lifestyle, and restrooms were poorly equipped in terms of privacy. Detention staff was very rude and partially plundered transmissions sent to detainees.

The general conclusion on the facts and the analysis can be summarized as follows: Authority of the Republic of Belarus were not ready for such mass actions of protest and failed to secure the rights and freedoms of people of the Republic of Belarus at the time of detention, during the trial and at keeping them in prison.

Searches and arrests in Belarus continue every day. KGB investigators had already visited many opposition activists several times.

European Union denied entry to 158 high-ranking Belarusian officials, including illegitimate president Lukashenko and his two sons - Viktor and Dmitry. But many international experts were disappointed: Europe did not introduce economic sanctions. U.S. will try to convince the EU to introduce against the Lukashenko regime and economic sanctions. Washington convinced that the dictator and the people around him earn huge money in oil companies deals.

In terms of the EU visa ban, the new register covers illegitimate president Aleksander Lukashenko and his two adult sons: Dmitriy and Viktor. Thirty-year-old Dmitriy is said in the EU documents to have "active participation in financial operations involving the Lukashenko family." He also runs the Presidential Sports Club.

What is interesting is that Yuriy Sivakov, a man suspected of mass-scale money laundering for so called president Alexander Lukashenko, has been quietly left out of a EU asset-freeze on the Belarusian nomenclature as Andrew Rettman mentioned in his article in EuroObserver.

According to Mr. Rettman "The Russian-born 64-year-old, a former Belarusian interior minister, appeared on the EU radar in 2004 when a Council of Europe investigation said he was part of a "death squad" (together with another former official Dmitriy Pavlichenko) that murdered four dissidents. He no longer holds office. But a leaked US cable from 2007 reports that in 2006 he ran a company called Chyest which laundered $1.5 million a day of bribery and extortion money via banks in Poland, Russia and the US on behalf of the Lukashenko´s family."

Dictator Lukashenko has studiously pretended that no sanctions undermine his authority and threatened to retaliate. On February 7th, 2011 the dictator took a short-term one week vacation and went to Sochi - a city-resort in southern Russia.

However, even official statistics have to admit that 2010 was the worst in economic history of Belarus from the perspective of the trade deficit. The trade deficit for 2010 amounted to 9 billion 642.3 million dollars (in 2009 it was $7 billion 264.8 million).

At the end of this article I would like to remind my readers that On October 6, 2004 US Congress passed the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (H.R. 854)  sponsored by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) and others, to fund a broad range of measures to support democracy in Belarus. Although this is a beginning, the executive branch and Congress need to do more. Specifically, they should:

1. - Denounce publicly Lukashenko's violations of the constitution and electoral procedures, and the State Department should amplify its criticism of Belarus' flawed political system.

2. - Declare, with the EU, that the referendum, parliamentary and presidential elections are illegitimate if observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe find election falsification or other violations.

3. - Use domestic and international law enforcement agencies, such as Interpol, in cooperation with EU members, to coordinate criminal investigations into homicides, money laundering, and illegal arms trading linked to the Lukashenko´s regime.

4. - Investigate the disappearances of Lukashenko's political opponents, provided there is a jurisdictional nexus to the U.S. and/or Europe. Both the U.S. Justice Department and its European counterparts can do so. Moreover, Europe and the U.S. could initiate criminal proceedings against those in the president's circle who ordered and participated in the murder of opposition politicians and journalists.

5. - Seize assets of Lukashenka and his inner circle through criminal proceedings against illegal arms sales and money laundering operations if Belarus violated U.S. or international sanctions. The U.S. and EU would be entitled to enforce such sanctions even if the violations did not occur in America or Europe.

6. - Fund, together with the EU, an international broadcasting operation by opposition radio and television stations from countries around Belarus, and expand people-to-people and educational exchanges.

7. - Consult with Russia regarding possible political changes that would make Belarus more democratic and predictable. Such a coordinated effort would benefit Russia by making the transit route for Russian gas to Europe less prone to Lukashenko's interference and would eliminate the need for Russia to support the Belarusian economy with subsidized natural gas at a cost of over $2 billion per year.

Almost SEVEN(!) years have passed since the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 was adopted and stayed only on paper with NO or little actions. 

Meantime fascism is rising steadily in Belarus in the heart of Europe.

Terror Campaign by Dictator Lukashenko in Belarus 2011

On January 2nd, 2011 the Human Rights Center Viasna (Spring) expressed its strong protest against the beginning of the terror campaign in Belarus towards dissidents and political opponents of the government with the following statement.

STATEMENT of Human Rights Center Viasna concerning Terror Campaign towards opposition-minded people of Belarus

Starting from December 19th, 2010 the country was flooded with political repression. On December 30th, 2010 22 people who are kept in the KGB jail were formally charged under parts 1 and 2 of the Article 293 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (organization and participation in mass riot), including five presidential candidates: Uladimir Neklyaev, Andrey Sannikov, Nikolay Statkevich, Aleksey Mikhalevich, and Vitaliy Rymashevskiy. In addition to the presidential candidates, the charges were brought against the leaders of their campaign teams, journalists and other prominent opposition activists. The restraint in the form of two-month detention was chosen for all of them.

At least nine more people are also in the status of suspects in the criminal case on the riot, including two presidential candidates - Gregory Kostusev and Dmitriy Uss, as well as two citizens of the Russian Federation.

The Chairperson of the youth organization Young Front Dmitriy Dashkevich and its activist Eduard Lobov are still kept in the pre-trial prison in Minsk on suspicion of malignant hooliganism.

More than 200 people are still kept in prison, serving administrative arrests for participation in the protest rally in Minsk on December 19th, 2010 and the subsequent actions of solidarity with political prisoners. More than 700 people have been arrested or fined for last ten days.

Human Rights Center Viasna is particularly concerned with information about the use of torture, psychological pressurization of detainees and the absence of medical care.

Starting from December 20th, 2010 mass searches and interrogations of activists of opposition political parties, civic organizations and independent media have began. Hundreds of opposition activists, representatives of independent civil society and journalists have been threatened and harassed by the KGB and the Interior Ministry.

Premises of human rights organizations were searched in Minsk and in the regions. The authorities are trying to discredit the activities of human rights defenders in the eyes of the society.

The lawyers who defend the accused in the criminal case concerning the mass riot are pressurized as well.

The Human Rights Center Viasna expresses its strong protest over the outbreak of the Belarusian authorities of the mass political repression in the country and declares:

--- the election of the President of the Republic of Belarus was not a free and democratic. The election results announced by the Central Election Commission in no way reflect the real will of the citizens of Belarus;

--- the protest rally against the undemocratic and non-free election was peaceful. The people who gathered in central Minsk, had peaceful purposes, and sought to peacefully express their opinions and protest;

--- The incident with the smashing of windows in the building of the House of Government was not prevented by law enforcement agencies. The demonstrative non-action of the Interior Ministry, a large number of whose workers were present on the Independence Square, points to an organized provocation by the authorities;

--- The actions of the police to disperse demonstrators were clearly disproportionate to the character of the action. The use of physical force and police gear led to a large number of beaten and wounded members of the peaceful protest;

---The attack of security services in civilian clothes on the presidential candidate Uladimir Neklyaev and his supporters was clearly lawless and provocative;

---The beating and arrest of virtually all presidential candidates, Aleksander Lukashenko´s opponents, is nothing but political violence;

---The initiation of a criminal case under the part 1 and 2 of the Article 293 of the Criminal Code (mass riot) is used only for a long-term isolation of the leaders of the opposition pro-democracy movement, as well as for pressurizing and intimidating the country´s civil society, independent media and journalists, as well as all dissidents in the country;

---The Human Rights Center Viasna demands the immediate release of all prisoners and cessation of repressions against opposition leaders and activists, civil society and independent media.

---The Human Rights Center Viasna expresses solidarity with all those arrested for their views, their family members and encourages members of the Belarusian public and the international community to support the repressed people.

---The Human Rights Centre Viasna urges the governments of the European Union, the United States and international organizations to condemn the repression and massive human rights violations in Belarus and to take all possible measures for their immediate cessation.

On December 22nd, 2010 one of the former presidential candidates Gregory Kostusev submitted a complaint (on 32 pages) to the Central Election Commission of Belarus to recognize the results of the presidential elections in the Republic of Belarus on Dec. 19, 2010 null and void.

On December 24th the Central Election Commission of Belarus rejected this complaint.

On January 4th, 2011 Gregory Kostusev has applied to the Supreme Court of Belarus with the request to review the results of the Central Election Commission concerning the acknowledgement of the presidential elections. His application includes the enumeration of the violations that were registered by observers, members of election commissions and electioneering agents of candidates.

"I have no hope for a fair verdict of the Supreme Court. May be they won´t even accept my application. Nevertheless, I am convinced that it was my duty to pass such application to the court," stated Gregory Kostusev.