Human rights defenders learned that Uladzimir Kondrus, born in 1977, was taken into custody on June 14 in the framework of a preliminary investigation for his alleged involvement in the riots outside the Government House during the presidential elections in 2010. Now in jail he has declared a long-term hunger strike to protest the detention. For this reason, his health deteriorated, and he was transferred to the jail’s medical unit.
Independent journalists identified him in the photographs from this year’s Freedom Day rally in Minsk and compared to the photos, in which he looks like an active participant in the events on 19 December 2010. On that day thousands of people went to the streets to participate in a peaceful protest against the presidential elections results; but this protest resulted in numerous and harsh detentions and arrests.
After the publication of photos in media, some journalists expressed an opinion (not supported by any facts) that he could play the role of a provocateur.
Human rights defenders believe that Uladzimir Kondrus is charged under Art. 293 of the Criminal Code (“rioting”).
It is indicative that a person with the same surname (Kondrus), who on 19 December 2011 took part in the anniversary action in memory of 19 December 2010 events, was detained and punished by a fine.
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In 2011 under the same article (rioting) 49 people were convicted, many of them were imprisoned for various terms. All the convicted of participation in riots were eventually amnestied or pardoned by the President and released from prison. To date, there is only one person involved in the case of the 19 December riots. This is former presidential candidate Ales Mikhalevich, whose case has been suspended.
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Human rights defenders released the research on mass arrests after the elections on 19 December 2010
