Action in support of Autukhovich held near detention facility in Valadarski Street (Photo)

• 17.06.2009, 12:01

Another action of solidarity with political prisoners was held near the remand jail in Valadarski Street on June 16.

Activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” were standing in front of the detention facility #1 of the city militia department of the Minsk city executive committee. The young people were holding portraits of entrepreneur from Vaukavysk Mikalai Autukhovich. One of the participants of the picket told traditional words of support to the political prisoner on hunger strike via a megaphone. This drew attention of riot militiamen. However, they didn’t detain anybody. Militiamen just wrote down passport data of some participants of the picket.

Leaders of entrepreneurs from Vaukavysk Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka were detained on February 8, 2009. On February 18, they were charged under article 218 of the Criminal Code (intentional destruction or damage to property of citizens). Human rights activists consider the detainees to be political prisoners drawing attention to the fact that Autukhovich and Lyavonau were convicted before and recognized prisoners of conscience by the international community.

Political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich went on hunger strike on April 16 demanding a trial or closing the criminal case. The oppositionist has been on hunger strike for more than two months. His health has deteriorated considerably during this time.