18:01 Belneftekhim accounts have been frozen in Latvia and Estonia

Latvia-based Hansabanka and Hansapank in Estonia have frozen the accounts of the Belarusian state concern “Belneftekhim”. It has happened after the Administration of the US President George Bush froze accounts of Belneftekhim in the beginning of November.

16:55 Pope authorizes restoration of altar in Hrodna’s Cathedral

A written blessing of restoration works of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Hrodna has been received personally from Pope Benedict XVI by an artist and woodcarver Kazimir Misyura, an activist of “for Freedom” movement from Voranava, Hrodna region.

16:50 Miners got worried

Miners of the first mine of Republican Unitary Enterprise Belaruskali got worried. The administration has begun to press on those, who took part in the so called Italian strike in September.

“Radio Svaboda” comments on nomination of laureates of the Charter’97 National Human Rights Award in 2007.

15:20 Council of BNR: «Putin’s visit threatens independence of Belarus»

The Rada (Council) of the Belarusian Democratic Republic (BNR) made a statement in view of planned visit of Russia’s president Vladimir Putin to Minsk.

15:19 Absence of registration to be penalized since January 1

On December 12 deputies of the “chamber of representatives” have adopted in the second reading a draft law introducing administrative responsibility for absence of registration.

15:04 Main initiator of dialog with authorities arrested for 15 days

Viktar Ivashkevich, deputy head of the Belarusian Popular Front, was sentenced to 15 days of arrest by Central District Court of Minsk.

13:08 Internet can’t be submitted

The “house of representatives” adopted a draft law “On Information, Informatisation and Protection of Information” in the first reading on Wednesday.

12:17 National flag above Independence Avenue (Photo)

Big white-red-white flag was hung out on 11 December on the corner of Independence (Nezalezhnasti) Avenue and Kazlou Street in Minsk (underground station “Victory Square”).

11:50 Unlawful search in trade unions

The Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BCDTU) lodged a legal application to Igar Ukrainets, prosecutor of the Leninski District of Minsk, in connection with unlawful actions in the office of trade union.

10:31 Borodin: «Putin and Lukashenka will discuss Constitutional Act»

Heads of Russia and Belarus will discuss issues on the budget for 2008 of the Belarus–Russia “union state” and preparation of the Constitutional Act in the course of the coming visit of Russian president to Minsk.

Entrepreneur Iryna Kaminskaya detained in Gomel. On the way to the court the woman felt bad.

9:52 Officials Fear Social Protests

Applicants for holding pickets against repeal of social benefits in Baranavichy were reached on the phone by local officials and offered to give up the idea to hold the protest.

9:12 It’s not Russia here

A banner “It’s not Russia here” was hung out on the bridge over Nyamiga Street in Minsk.

8:56 Nation has right (Photo)

Activists of the movement “For Freedom” and the Young Front organised a picket in Saligorsk on 10 December dedicated to the International Human Rights Day.

8:36 Journalist Sentenced to Arrest

A public activist and journalist Barys Haretski has been sentenced to 7 days of administrative arrest. This verdict was passed by judge of Tsentralny district of Minsk Leanid Yasenovich.

8:27 Belarusian Popular Front calls people to Kastrychnitskaya Square

The leadership of the Belarusian Popular Front party has called upon citizens to come to October Square on December 12, at 6 p.m., to hold a rally “For independent Belarus!”