21:03 Police penetrated democrat’s apartment through a window just to hear him using coarse language

Democratic activist Aliaksandar Atroschankau was sentenced to 10 days of arrest by the Central district court of Minsk. Judge Tatsiana Pauluchuk passed the resolution. In court, the police assured that the activist had been arrested for… “coarse language.” Late at night on October 9, police officers burst into the apartment of democratic activist Aliaksandar Atroschankau located on the first storey (!) through a window and searched it. Office equipment, including a computer and information materials on the European March, EU flags and Belarusian national symbols were withdrawn.

19:37 Europe's last dictator is against European March

Today Yury Istomin, the head of Grodna district organization of the United Civil Party (UCP), was sentenced to 7 days of arrest; Zmitser Slutski, the head of UCP Grodna city organization - to 5 days of arrest. Both were accused on article 17.1 of the Administrative Code ("minor hooliganism"). The activists launched a hunger strike of protest against the fake accusations.

This week, Prague has been playing host to leading Belarusian political dissident Aljaksandr Milinkevic as part of Forum 2000. The leader of the country's suppressed opposition movement 'Za Svobodu', or 'For Freedom' received a prestigious human rights prize from former president Vaclav Havel, and spoke to an audience consisting largely of Czech students about human rights in Belarus. The visit highlights the activism of Czech non-governmental organizations in promoting human rights in Europe's last dictatorship.

18:19 USA disapproves of Belarus-Iran energy cooperation

The USA disapproves of the cooperation between Belarus and Iran in the energy scope, assistant of USA Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Mattew Bryza told BelaPAN. Commenting on the plans of Belarus on diversification of energy supplies, including oil field Jofeir in Iran, M.Bryza remarked: “We disapprove of such cooperation with Iran as the position of the USA on this country is clear and it is based on the resolutions of the UN Security Council. On the other hand, that is the way Iran ensures diversification of oil supplies for Belarus.”

17:04 Andrei Sannikov: «Authorities could discuss the problems of energy security with European Commission today»

The European Commission delegation headed by Hilde Hardeman, Head of Unit for Relations with Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus of Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia Directorate at the European Commission’s External Relations and Neighborhood Policy Directorate-General.

16:33 When being detained Vitebsk oppositionist scotch-taped his mouth

Activist of the “For Freedom” movement Siarhei Parsiukevich was detained in Vitebsk. At the moment of detainment he scotch-taped his mouth mutely, in order he couldn’t be accused of using the obscene language.

15:15 European March: Kastrychnitskaya Square – Academy of Sciences – Park of Peoples’ Friendship

The European March is to be held 14 October in Minsk. The organizers are going to come to Kastrychnitskaya (Oktiabrskaya) Square at 14.00 in order to lead the people to the Academy of Sciences – the permitted by the city authorities place. The route of the procession will be Academy of Sciences -Nezaleznnast Avenue – Surganau Street – Park of Peoples’ Friendship. “The European March is permitted. The only thing that can prevent people not to come out to the march is laziness or desire to live in dictator regime”, - Viktar Ivashkevich, the European March organizing committee head, “Belarusian Popular Front” (BNF Party) deputy chairmen declared at today’s press conference.

13:14 Police arrested Aliaksandar Atroschankau, «Pagonia» emblem and European symbols

Democratic activist Aliaksandar Atroschankau was arrested late at night on October 9, in Minsk. Police officers burst into the apartment of democratic activist Aliaksandar Atroschankau located on the first storey (!) through a window and searched it. Office equipment, including a computer and information materials on the European March, EU flags and the Belarusian national emblem “Pagonia” made of plaster were withdrawn.

13:03 Vaitovich: congress of scientists resembles soviet congress of kolkhozniks

Former president of the Belarusian Academy of Sciences academician Aliaksandr Vaitovich refuses to take part in the propaganda and PR action - First Congress of Scientists. According to the academician, the congress pursues the objective of “setting a precedent for a propaganda campaign” and creates the opportunity for “PR for certain persons”.

10:26 Zmitser Dashkevich - Belarus’ true hero

Another criminal case on Zmitser Dashkevich, assistant head of the Malady Front (Young Front) organization, was passed to the public prosecutor’s office of the town of Shklou. Zmitser Dashkevich is accused of his refusal to testify against his friends from Malady Front. Zmitser is now passing his 1.5-year prison term for membership in a non-registered organization. Now he can get a new sentence which he will pass in the same prison.

10:10 Karen Stewart: «We must see actions, not only words»

The Belarusian opposition and European politicians have been attempting to start a dialogue with the state authorities in the country for more than half a year already. Representatives of the Belarusian opposition as well as Polish, German and American politicians took part in a meeting of intellectuals and politicians which was held in Krakow. US Ambassador Karen Stewart assisted the meeting too.

10:01 Vaclav Havel: «I don’t know who will be next Czech president, but Belarusian one – Milinkevich»

Prague Society for International Cooperation awarded leader of the Belarusian movement “For Freedom” Aliaksandr Milinkevich the Hanno R. Ellenbogen Citizenship Award. His award Milinkevich passed to Paval Seviarynets.

At the Nordic Council conference in Vilnius 8-9 October the question on the construction of the nuclear power station in Belarus was discussed. From the Belarusian side the representatives of the democratic forces Anatol Liabedzka, Siarhei Kaliakin, Anatol Liaukovich, Mechyslau Hryb, Aliaksei Yanukevich took part. The official position was presented by “house of representatives” Chernobyl Commission head Mihail Paplauski. He represented the position of the Academy of Sciences, the government and the parliament.

9:43 Lukashenka makes conditions to Moscow

Minsk intents to gain the inner-Russian gas prices within the frames of the Customs Union. It results from the words of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s Aide Valiantin Rybakou who commented the decision of Belarus, Kazakhstan and the RF on the formation of the common customs area.