News on 4.04.2008

4.04.2008

Kazulin doesn’t expect early release any more

16:57, — Politics

A political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin has been visited in the colony by his lawyer Zmitser Harachka. What are the news about his state of health and what are the prospects of his early release?

Riot militia broke ribs of participants of Freedom Day demonstration 33

16:51, — Politics

Doctors of Minsk hospital No 3 diagnosed Andrei Babitski, activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus,” with “closed displaced fracture of eighth rib.” The youth activist and dozens of other participants of the demonstration on 25 March were beaten up brutally by riot militiamen. Emergency brigade, called to the Savetski district internal affairs department, refused to help the oppositionist.

“Trial of the 14” to start April 16 6

16:48, — Politics

On April 16 (Wednesday) at 10 a.m. proceedings in the political “case of the 14” will start in the court of Tsentralny district of Minsk (Kirau Street, 21).

FRG Ambassador: “We don’t refuse to have dialog with Belarus” 11

15:37, — Politics

A decision of Friedrich Ebert Foundation, German political organisation, on closing down its office in Belarus doesn’t mean FRG rejects its policy pursued towards Belarus, FRG Ambassador to Belarus Gebhardt Weiss said.

Lukashenka relies on normalising relations with U.S. and EU 17

14:09, — Politics

Alyaksandr Lukashenka finds it possible to normalise relations with the U.S. and the European Union, though there are some problems between the sides.

US Embassy stops issuing visas again 7

13:00, — Politics

The US Embassy in Minsk suspended considering applications for visas and issuing visas to Belarusian citizens. It is stated at the web-page of the US Mission.

United Civil Party ready to have session on Minsk October Square 12

12:20, — Politics

The United Civil Party (UCP) can’t find a place for holding its XI session. According to the party leader Anatol Lyabedzka, more than 20 various Minsk establishments refused to afford premises.

Stanislau Bahdankevich: “Bargain sale of Belarusian banks begins” 2

12:13, — Economics

External debts of Belarusian banks reached three billion dollar for the first time.

Miron doesn’t allow militia to relax 8

11:44, — Politics

A white-red-white national flag appeared late night on Maskouski Avenue in Vitebsk on 3 April. It was hung out on the chimney of a boiler-house near the secondary school No 11. As usual, a message from the legendary Miron was affixed to the flag.

Nasta Palazhanka on list of restricted to leave abroad 9

9:54, — Politics

Today in the night an activist of the Young Front Nasta Palazhanka was got off the train Minsk-Warsaw. At a border-crossing point “Warsaw bridge” frontier guards told her that she was put on a black list of persons restricted from leaving abroad, as a criminal case had been brought up against her.

Entire enterprises herd into “Belaya Rus” 14

9:45, — Politics

Staff at industrial sites of the production association “Belaruskaliy” is actively prepared for joining the pro-governmental organization.

US Ambassador to OSCE: “Belarus has chosen path of confrontation and isolation” 6

9:31, — Politics

The United States Ambassador to the OSCE Julie Finley has reported to representatives of member countries of that organization about the US position relating recent events in Belarus.

Participants of Freedom Day demonstration to be released today 2

9:29, — Politics

Activists of youth organisations, arrested for participation in action on 25 March, will be released today from the prison on Akrestin Street after serving 10 days of arrest.

Musicians boycotted concert for “union” with Russia 3

9:00, — Culture

At a concert-meeting on April 2 dedicated to the so-called day of Belarus and Russia’s unity, a few well-known rock-groups had been announced to perform, but most of them refused to appear.

Did Lukashenka deceive Gazprom again? 7

8:56, — Politics

Belarus is willing to review retroactively the agreements with Gazprom on solving gas conflict. The authorities expressed an idea to abolish trade markup on Beltransgaz fuel selling. In this case the price on which Gazprom agreed to go in Beltransgaz will be increased, gazeta.ru runs.