News on 5.03.2008

5.03.2008

Maltsau’s Mysterious Visit to China 6

18:39, — Army

A working visit of Defense Minister Leanid Maltsau (Maltsev) to China took place on March 1-4.

42 women demand meeting with Lukashenka 5

17:34, — Politics

On March 5 an open letter was addressed by 42 women to Alyaksandr Lukashenka. They ask for a meeting with the president. Among the authors of the list are relatives of the convicts who disagree with court verdicts in civil suits, and those who had been affected by especially grave crimes, BelaPAN informs.

Pensioner to stand trial for threats against Lukashenka 27

17:07, — Society

Viktar Rakusevich is to appear before the court of the Zavadski District of Minsk on 12 March. He is accused of threats against Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Officials to be prohibited to communicate to press 14

16:54, — Politics

Deputies of the House of Representatives prepare amendments and additions to some laws of the Republic of Belarus on questions of government services for the second reading.

Belarusians choose EU (Photo, Video) 10

16:22, — Politics

Flags of the European Union put up by activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” at large roads going from Russia to Belarus. Every driver crossing Belarusian-Russian border on the route Moscow-Brest and Smolensk-Vitsebsk met European symbols.

Court supported total lawlessness by police 15

14:50, — Politics

A young activist Maksim Serhejts has been sentenced to 5 days of arrest by the court of Tsentralny district of Minsk for dissemination of stickers with an invitation to celebrate Freedom Day. Yesterday the activist was beaten up in the police department.

Gazprom-Ukraine Conflict Affected Belarus 1

14:18, — Economics

Belarus daily misses USD 140,000 a day because of the gas conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Russian Gazprom has reduced gas deliveries to Ukraine by 50%. In response Ukraine reduced transit gas deliveries to Europe by 60 million cubic metres a day.

Entrepreneur Announced Indefinite Hunger Strike in Colony

13:45, — Politics

An individual entrepreneur Svyatlana Dvaraninava sentenced to 6.5 years of imprisonment announced an indefinite hunger strike in Homel women colony.

Hrodna chooses EU (Photo) 4

13:08, — Politics

Hundreds of blue ribbons are seen in the streets of Hrodna. Activists of the campaign decorated posts, railings, bus stops, shops and markets in the centre of the city.

Authorities organising concerts “We are Belarusians!” ahead of Freedom Day 8

12:05, — Politics

More than 50 concerts are to be held in Belarus in the frames of social and cultural action “We are Belarusians!”

Officers with police epaulets celebrated Police Day by beating up youth 18

10:34, — Politics

Two young activists detained in a trolley-bus yesterday for disseminating stickers with a call to celebrate the jubilee Freedom Day on March 25, were released from the police department of Tsentralny district of Minsk without a report being drawn up or explanations written. The third one was beaten up and is kept in custody. The trial over Maksim Serhejts is to start today at 10 a.m. in the court of Tsentralny district of Minsk.

Miron hoisted flag in honour of BNR founder 2

10:18, — Politics

Miron hoisted a flag in honour of figure of national rebirth Yazep Lyosik as continuation of the white-red-white marathon, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republics. The flag was hung out on the roof of a 5-storey dwelling house on Kasmanautau Street Tuesday evening.

Leanid Zlotnikau: Country needs money, so Golden Share was abolished 7

9:44, — Economics

Alyaksandr Lukashenka signed a decree, waiving institution of a special right of the state to interfere with management of an enterprise, on 4 March. Belarusian economist Leanid Zlotnikau thinks this decree is a forced step.

Criminal case against Kasya Salauyova taken to court

8:59, — Politics

On March 4 the case against the 19-year-old activist of the youth democratic movement Kasya Salauyova was taken to the city court of Polatsk (Vitsebsk region), Kasya’s friend Tatsyana Shaputska informs.

BNR 90th anniversary to be celebrated in European Parliament

8:38, — Politics

Belarusian week is a programme of celebration the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic in the frames of plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 10 -13 March.