Participants of hunger strike arrested for graffiti “Freedom to Autukhovich!”

• 11.05.2009, 11:11

Policemen in Asipovichy arrested Young Front activists Artsyom Dubski and Tatsyana Kasinchuk.

The oppositionists are charged with writing the words “Freedom to Autukhovich!” on the wall. The young people were taken to the local police department for further investigation.

A report was drawn up against Artsyom Dubski under article 17.1 of the Administrative Code (“petty hooliganism”), a record of interrogation of drawn up. In a few hours the young people were released. The administrative trial over Artsyom Dubski is to take place on May 12.

As we have informed, Artsyom Dubski and other Young Front activists continue a hunger strike since May 4. It’s a hunger strike of solidarity with the leader of businessmen Mikalay Autukhovich, who went on indefinite hunger strike of protest in April 16. As a sign of solidarity with him 26 persons joined indefinite hunger strike or “relay race” hunger strike.

Artsyom Dubski is a participant of the Process of Fourteen sentenced to restriction of freedom for participation in protest rallies of entrepreneurs. On May 15 a repeat trial over him was to take place. For the activist went to Ukraine for some time. He is charged with violation of the rules of serving the sentence.

Since May 1 rallies of solidarity with political prisoners took place in Minsk. Each of these rallies was disbanded by policemen.

On May 7 several hundreds of people came to October square with portraits of the former Interior Minister Yury Zakharanka who went missing 10 years ago; and with portraits of political prisoners Mikalay Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka. Riot policemen disbanded the rally. Before and after the rally dozens of oppositionists were arrested and beaten up.

On May 7 it was announced that rallies on October Square would be stopped for some time. Protests with the demand to release political prisoners are to take place every day in different parts of the city.