Activists of an unregistered organization Young Front are again summonsed to interrogations. On 4 February the police detained 27 activists of the Young Front. At the present moment 4 persons, Zmitser Khvedaruk, Aleh Korban, Anastasiia Palazhanka and Aliaksei Ianusheuski, have got the status of suspects in the criminal case brought under article 193.1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus, activity on behalf of unregistered organization. (13-MAR-07)

New Wave of Youth Intimidation Starts in Belarus. Statement by HRC Viasna

The Human Rights Center Viasna expresses its deep concern in connection with the expansion of political persecution of activists of youth organizations and movements of Belarus.

At present four persons are suspects in a case brought on the activity of an unregistered organization Young Front: Aliaksei Ianusheuski, Zmitser Khvedaruk, Aleh Korban and Anastasiia Palazhanka.

On 13 March A.Ianusheuski and A.Palazhanka were summonsed for interrogations at the Minsk city prosecutor’s office  in the case against Khvedaruk and Korban. The investigators presented to the witnesses notes about finding them suspects in the case as well. We consider the criminal persecution of Aliaksei Ianusheuski, Zmitser Khvedaruk, Aleh Korban and Anastasiia Palazhanka as solely political and are anxious about the possibility of the increase of the number of suspects in the case.

We again remind that the persecution of public activists under article 193.1 of the Criminal Code is a gross violation of the freedom of association that is guaranteed by the Constitution of Belarus and the Convent on Civil and Political Rights. Human Rights Center Viasna demands from the authorities to immediately stop the criminal persecution of the youth activists, release all political prisons and abolish all politically motivated articles of the Criminal Code.

Minsk, 13 March 2007

P.S. In accordance with the Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus the person could get 6 months up to two years of imprisonment.