News on 26.09.2007

26.09.2007

It is in interests of Belarusian authorities that opposition’s European March passes off smoothly, German ambassador says

18:27, — Politics

It is in the interests of the Belarusian authorities that the opposition’s October 14 European March for Freedom passes off smoothly, Gebhardt Weiss, the German ambassador to Belarus, said in an interview with BelaPAN. “Self-control on the part of both the demonstrators and those who will ensure public order would clearly show that the observance of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus is important for both sides,” the ambassador said.

Viktar Ivashkevich: “Only the enemies of Belarus enjoy the situation”

17:48, — Politics

The political council of the democratic forces has signed three documents today. These are a statement on the arrest of Viktar Ivashkevich , the chairman of the organizational committee of the European March; a call for the authorities to discharge the political prisoners during the forthcoming amnesty, and an appeal to the EU not to go back on the democracy principles dealing with the Belarusian Parliament. Viktar Ivashkevich, the chairman of the organizational committee of the European March gave this information to Charter’97 press center. He has been discharged today after his yesterday’s unlawful detainment by the riot militiamen. The politician called his arrest “a provocation” and declared that the struggle between pro-European and pro-Russian forces continues in the authoritative structures.

To make the right choice

16:48, — Politics

The members of the organizational committee of the European March held a press conference on Victar Ivashkevich’s arrest, the Chairman of the organizational committee, co-chairman of the BNF Party. 20 minutes after the beginning of the press conference Victar Ivashkevich was discharged from the court-room. “The chairman of the organizational committee is free now due to the drastic reaction of journalists, human rights activists, oppositional leaders and diplomats”, - Andrey Sannikov, the international coordinator of Charter’97, the member of organizational committee negotiation group said.

Belarusians don’t trust militia

15:32, — Society

Approximately half of Belarusians don’t count on the help of the militia, and every fifth didn’t get support when they applied to the law enforcement agencies. A regular survey of Ministry of Foreign Affairs website shows this.

Corruption case against Presidential Administration’s former ideology official sent to Supreme Court

14:15, — Politics

The corruption case against Uladzimir Kholad, former first deputy head of the Presidential Administration's Main Ideology Office and head of the Ideological Work Coordination Office, has been sent to the Supreme Court of Belarus.

Victar Ivashkevich: "The left hand doesn't know what the right one does... and the head doesn't work at all" 1

13:23, — Politics

Chairman of the organizational committee of the European March was discharged from the court-room of Pershamayski Internal Affairs Department today. The judge sent his case to “revision”. “"The left hand doesn't know what the right one does... and the head doesn't work at all"”, - co-chairman of the BNF Party commented his own arrest and discharge to Charter’97 press center.

Belarusians are told about proposals of the EU

12:10, — Politics

The activists of the “For Freedom” movement in Homel have spread more than 500 informational booklets “What the European Union can give Belarus” for the last days. The booklets were spread among city dwellers and students of Francisk Skaryna Homel State University.

One of the leaders of “For Freedom” movement is arrested

12:07, — Politics

Activist of the “For Freedom” movement Andrey Sharenda was detained near his house today morning. Now the militiamen are guarding him to Maskouski District Internal Affairs Department of Brest.

Vintsuk Vyachorka: Ivashkevich was detained by special regiment

10:01, — Politics

Today in the Pervomaisky district court of Minsk the trial of Viktar Ivashkevich chairman of organizing committee of the European March planned for 14 October is to be held. He is charged of calling for participation in the unauthorized action. Ivashkevich was detained yesterday on a porch of cafe " Al-Pamidora» together with the deputy chairman of the Party of Communists Belarusian Valery Uhnalyou. Ivashkevich and his four friends celebrated his birthday. On a porch they were met by special troop’s staff.

Amnesty bill to be considered in autumn

9:34, — Politics

The amnesty bill is to be considered at the autumn session of the «house of representatives" of the “national assembly” of Belarus. As BelTA correspondent was informed by deputy chairman of the permanent commission on national security of the lower chamber of "parliament" Yury Andreyau the decision on putting the mentioned bill on the agenda of the forthcoming session was accepted today at the commission’s sitting.