17:37 Zmitser Bandarenka: “Opposition does not let its people down!”

“Release of Artur Finkevich is a great joy for his family, friends, for all normal people in Belarus. It’s our common victory,” stated the Charter’97 coordinator Zmitser Bandarenka, commenting on today’s release of the political prisoner Artur Finkevich.

14:50 Mikalay Statkevich: Regime tries to reduce Russia’s pressure

“Regime makes concessions, new “positive signals” to Europe, in order to reduce, counterbalance Russia’s pressure,” believes the former political prisoner, the leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic party “Narodnaya Hramada” Mikola Statkevich, commenting on the release of Artur Finkevich.

13:55 Viktar Ivashkevich: Lukashenka starts political game between Europe and Russia

“It demonstrates the beginning of a new period of bargaining of Lukashenka’s regime with Russia and Europe for some economic preferences,” told the deputy chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front party, one of initiators of the campaign “European Belarus”, commenting on release of Artur Finkevich.

12:29 Former political prisoner asked political asylum in Czech Republic

Alyaksei Shydlouski said “as a result of provocation” a criminal case had been initiated against him in December 2007. The activist faces up to 10 years of imprisonment.

11:38 Artur Finkevich released

Hearing of the cassation appeal on the criminal case against Artur Finkevich, political prisoner and one of the Young Front leaders, has taken place today in the has reversed the judgement of the court of Kastrychnitski district of Mahilou on 1.5-year imprisonment. Representative of the US Embassy to Minsk Louis Crishock, politician Vyachaslau Siuchyk and some tens of A. Finkevich’s friends were present at the hearing. Four militiamen in civvies were also present in the court room.

10:12 Forceful removal: authorities ignore (video)

The tensest situation exists in Marx Street now. Authorities plant to start eviction of inhabitants from four houses this year. A casino, a hotel and a trading center are to appear instead of the houses. All inhabitants as one man are against of that.

9:18 Private unitary enterprises will follow destiny of individual entrepreneurs

If private unitary enterprises take position of individual entrepreneurs in the economy tomorrow, they will turn into political opponents for the authorities and will be declared an uncivilised form of business subject to abolishment according to a proven scheme...

8:58 Pooling efforts to defend Andrei Kim

The first session of the Public Commission on defence of youth activist Andrei Kim, arrested at the entrepreneurs’ rally on 21 January, took place in Minsk on 4 February.

8:46 Kindergarten teachers ready for strike

As it has been reported before, the government decided at last, how much time teachers should have for vacation. School teachers have 56-day vacation as before. But kindergarten teachers lost a third part of their vacation.