News on 18.04.2008

18.04.2008

Lukashenka has appointed a new ideology chief, Usevalad Yancheuski 49

17:32, — Politics

Alyaksandr Lukashenka has appointed Usevalad Yancheuski an aide to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Head of the Ideology Department of Presidential administration. This position was earlier occupied by Aleh Pralyaskouski.

European Deputies insist on fulfilling 12 conditions of EU by Minsk 6

16:28, — Politics

The European Parliament has called upon the authorities of Belarus to start democratic reform in the country. It has been said in a declaration adopted on April 17 summing up the results of the conference in the European parliament in Brussels (Belgium), where the post-Chernobyl situation in Belarus was discussed.

Lukashenka dismissed minister of agriculture 18

15:30, — Politics

Alyaksandr Lukashenka appointed Syamyon Shapira minister of agriculture and food, having relieved Leanid Rusak of this post, Interfax learnt from the press service of the head of state.

European Parliament: International aid to Belarus should be defended from regime’s abuses 15

15:17, — Politics

The European Parliament called on the European community to continue rendering help to Belarus in rehabilitation of the regions, suffered from the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident. The declaration on post-Chernobyl situation in Belarus, adopted on the results of the conference in the European Parliament on 17 March, says it. The document stressed that international aid to Belarus should be defended from the regime’s abuses.

BRYU members tried to put up fight in court of Tsentralny district, Minsk 21

15:06, — Politics

In the court of Tsentralny district of Minsk a trial over 10 participants of January protest rallies re-started.

Judge expelled Tatsyana Tsishkevich from court for a smile (Photo) 2

14:17, — Politics

In the court of Tsentralny district of Minsk the third day of a trial over 10 activists of youth organisations continues. The activists are tried for participation in a demonstration on January 10. Before announcing a break judge Alena Illyuna expelled one of the defendants, Tatsyana Tsishkevich, for numerous warnings.

German student: “I couldn’t even imagine clashes were so cruel” 5

13:59, — Politics

A photo exhibition «Elections without Choice. Belarus March – 2006" opened in Free University of Berlin on 16 April.

Militiaman Sychou was hit by another militiaman 6

11:08, — Politics

Video from the rally of entrepreneurs on 190 January was shown in the Tsentralny district court of Minsk, where the trial of 14 takes place.

Milinkevich met with paraded in Pinsk (Photo) 12

10:55, — Politics

Alyaksandr Milinkevich, leader of the “For Freedom” movement continues his tour round the country. Militiamen and riot militiamen from Brest organised a parade in Pinsk, in the park near the monument to Lenin, where the politician was to meet with people. The parade ended before the meeting, and Alyaksandr Milinkevich could speak with people.

A Ukrainian is no match for a Belarusian 20

10:32, — Army

The Belarusian Ministry of Defense plans to impose restrictions on visits of officers and civil employees having access to military secrets, to Ukraine. Restrictions are planned to be imposed in connection with Ukraine’s joining the NATO which is almost a decided issue.

One of witnesses at Process of Fourteen was making “Human shield” 6

9:34, — Politics

Today at 10 a.m. the third session of the court in the case called the Process of Fourteen started in the court of Tsentralny district of Minsk.

Mikhail Marynich: “Belarusian authorities hush up awful things”

8:49, — Politics

Hearings “Chernobyl today,“ dedicated to the situation in Belarus, were held in the European Parliament on 17 April. Members of the working group on Belarusian affairs, representatives of the European Commission, and delegations of democratic forces and civil society in Belarus took part in the hearing. The Charter’97 press center talks about the hearing in Brussels with Mikhail Marynich, former political prisoner and member of the organising committee of the civil campaign “European Belarus.”