Banner “Freedom to Political Prisoners!” appeared in Minsk center (Photo)

• 31.08.2009, 9:27

Actions demanding to release political prisoners go on in Belarusian towns.

On Friday evening, activists of the civil camoaign “European Belarus” hung out a banner demanding to free political prisoners. Ti was fixed to the bridge near metro station Nyamiha, jeans-by.com reports.

We remind that on February 8, Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka were detained in Vaukavysk. 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”, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

Human rights activists consider the detained 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.

Vaukavysk entrepreneur Yury Lyavonau was released from the pre-trial detention office in Minsk on August 8. Investigative activities against him were stopped. The Vaukavysk entrepreneurs are expected to stand trial in November.

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

The Case of 14 is a criminal case under article 342 of the Criminal Code of Belarus, instigated against participants of the peaceful protest rally of entrepreneurs, held in Minsk on January 10, 2008.

For participation in this rally 14 youth activists were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment and restriction of liberty. Amnesty International recognized the participants of the Process of 14 Prisoners of Conscience in 2009.