Picket in support of political prisoners held in centre of Minsk (Photo)

• 2.06.2009, 10:20

A few rallies in support of demands of Mikalay Autukhovich, a political prisoner who continues a hunger strike, have been held in Minsk.

A streamer “Freedom to political prisoner!” was placed at the cross-roads of Dzerzhynski and Zhukau Avenue. Activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” fixed it to the bridge over the road.

The picket with a demand to release Belarusian political prisoners held by activists of “European Belarus” in front of the trading house in Nyamiha Street. During the rally via megaphone passers- by were told about the case of Mikalay Autukhovich and his hunger strike. Besides, young activists were handing out leaflets with information about political prisoners.

It should be reminded that leaders of the entrepreneurs’ movement from Vaukavysk Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka arrested on February 8 and guarded in pre-trial detention center #1 in Minsk.

Mikalai Autukhovich went on hunger strike on April 16 protesting against criminal persecution and non-investigation of his case. Autukhovich demands to send his case to court or release him on his own recognizance. The political prisoner also demands to release Yury Lyavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka involved in the same case.

The investigation of the case of Vaukavysk businessmen was extended till June 3. Relatives of the political prisoners haven’t received a single permit during four months to visit them.

Human rights activists consider the detained to be political prisoners drawing attention to the fact Mikalai Autukhovich and Yury Lyavonau were convicted before and recognized prisoners of conscience by the international community.