Freedom for political prisoners!

• 16.03.2009, 8:09

A rally of solidarity with arrested activist of the Belarusian opposition is to be held on October square of Minsk at 8.00 p.m. March 16.

The Day of Belarusian Solidarity has been marked for 3 years every 16th day of a month. For ore than three years people have been going to squares in Minsk, Belarusian regions, and abroad to demonstrate their solidarity with the families of kidnapped and repressed activist of the Belarusian opposition.

In February 2009, leaders of entrepreneurs Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka as well as “Young Front” activist Artsyom Dubski were arrested. Autukhovich and Lyavonau are former political prisoners, sentenced to imprisonment on a far-fetched accusation for protection of the rights of businessmen. Dubski is convicted in the notorious Case of 14.

On March 7, human rights activist Yana Palyakova, sentenced to 2.5 years of restraint of liberty, committed suicide.

Rights of opposition activists Alyaksei Bondar, Mikhail Kryvau, Mikhail Pashkevich, Alyaksandr Straltsou, Alyaksandr Charnyshou, Tatsyana Tsishkevich, Mikhail Subach, Paval Vinahradau, Maksim Dashuk, and Alyaksandr Barazenka, sentenced to restraint of liberty for participation in protest rallies of entrepreneurs, remain restricted.