In a letter to President Lukashenko, the Human Rights House Foundation has condemned the arrest and continued imprisonment of youth activist Artur Finkevich. Finkevich was arrested for writing the graffiti text “We want a new one” on public property on 30 January. He has already been fined $17,000 dollar and can, in case he is found guilty of “purposeful destruction or defilement of property,” be sentenced to 7-12 years’ imprisonment. Read the letter here. (27-APR-06)



President Alexander Lukashenko
The office of the President of Belarus
Fax: + 375 17 2260610

Oslo, April 27, 2006

Your Excellency,

The Human Rights House Foundation (HRH Foundation) considers the arrest and continued imprisonment of Artur Finkevich unlawful and therefore demands his immediate release.

Mr Finkevich has been detained in Prison 1, cell 73 at ul. Volodarskogo 2 in Minsk since 30 January 2006. He was arrested by the police for making political graffiti in Minsk; he is alleged to have written “We want a new one”. On account of this he is accused of violation of two articles of the Criminal Code of Belarus: part 2 of article 339 (malignant hooliganism) and part 3 of article 218 (purposeful destruction or defilement of property). Currently, Mr Finkevich is already fined $17,000 and can, in case he is found guilty of “purposeful destruction or defilement of property” be sentenced to 7-12 years’ imprisonment.

The Human Rights House Foundation considers the charges made against Mr Finkevich and the $17,000 fine not in accordance with the offence committed by him. We have the impression that the arrest of Mr Finkevich is politically motivated and connected to his public and political activities as an active member of the organisation Young Front. This would be unacceptable. We want to remind you of article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a charter that has been signed by the Belarusian authorities:

“Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.”

According to the Human Rights House Foundation, the custody of Artur Finkevich is unlawful and we therefore demand Artur Finkevich’s immediate release and the $17,000 fine to be annulled.


Maria Dahle
Executive Director
Human Rights House Foundation

Cc:
OSCE Office in Minsk
The Norwegian Prime Minister, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg
The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre
The Norwegian Youth Council (LNU)
The Belarusian Ministry of Justice