Youth leader Maksim Vinyarski arrested in Minsk

• 15.10.2009, 14:05

Activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Maksim Vinyarski was handing out leaflets demanding to release political prisoners.

He was detained by militia near “Maladzyozhnaya” metro station. At the moment, Vinyarski is in a militia station in metro. He is not available on the phone, the website “European Belarus” reports.

We remind that Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka were detained in Vaukavysk on February 8, 2009. On February 18, the entrepreneurs were charged under article 218 of the Criminal Code (intentional damage to or destruction of property of citizens). On June 23, a criminal case under article 359 of the Criminal Code (a terroristic act) in the form of preparation (article 13) was instigated against Autukhovich and “other persons”.

Human rights activists consider them political prisoners, turning attention to the fact that Autukhovich and Lyavonau were convicted before and recognized prisoners of conscience by the international community.

Vaukavysk entrepreneur Yury Lyavonau was released from Minsk remand prison on August 8. The criminal case against him was stopped.

On July 7, 2009, “Young Front” activist Artsyom Dubski was sentenced to a year of imprisonment in minimum security penal colony for violation of the rules of serving punishment in the Case of 14.

Pickets demanding to free political prisoners are held in Belarus practically every day.