News on 22.05.2008

22.05.2008

Barys Khamajda: “They have beaten my brother, but wanted to take revenge upon me” 7

17:41, — Politics

Vitsebsk oppositionist Barys Khamajda has told to Radio Svaboda that his brother Vyachaslau was assaulted. He does not exclude that in this way old threats of supporters of the pro-Nazi “Russian National Unity” (RNE) have been realized.

Belarusian yachtsman sailed English rivers under white-red-white flag (Photo)

17:24, — Society

Belarusian citizen Zmitser Smelyanski, living in US Boston, took part in the 52th annual wooden yacht tour in Norfolk Broads, East England under Belarus national white-red-white flag. The Belarusian said it in the letter to the Charter’97 press center.

Court orders to collect 3,000 from applicants for holding European March

17:01, — Politics

Applicants for holding the European March are fined again. Now the fine is 2,000 dollars. The decision about that has been taken by the judge of Savetski district of Minsk Maryna Fyodarava. Thus, the total amount of fines collected from organizers of the European march makes 3,000 dollars.

Resolution on Belarus to be considered in European Parliament 5

16:58, — Politics

The European People’s Party condemns the arrests of political opponents in Belarus and has prepared a draft resolution on human rights abuses.

Young leaders tried in absentia day before Putin’s visit to Minsk 8

16:32, — Politics

Activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Pavel Yukhnevich and Yauhen Afnahel has been tried in absentia and sentenced to 7 days of arrest for participation in the official rally on May Day. As we have informed, such verdicts have been delivered in the court of Pershamajski district of Minsk to leaders of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich and Artur Finkevich.

People in The Hague remembered disappeared in Belarus opposition leaders (Photo) 4

13:43, — Politics

An action in support of relatives of the forcibly disappeared in Belarus opposition leaders and a journalist was held in The Hague on 16 May, the Day of Solidarity.

Aleksei Makarkin: “If Medvedev paid his first visit to Belarus, it would draw critics of Western media” 8

13:30, — Politics

The first countries, where new Russian president Dmitry Medvedev goes to, are Kazakhstan and China. Belarus, in spite of “union” relations, is on the sidelines. The experts are sure if Medvedev paid his first visit to Belarus, it would draw critics of the Western media.

Russia to give Belarus its data base of restricted to travel abroad 8

12:33, — Society

Russian law enforcement agencies are to give Belarus the list of citizens, who are temporally restricted to leave the country.

Kazakhstan offers Russia friendship without Belarus 8

12:21, — Economics

The first foreign visit of Dmitry Medvedev in a capacity of Russian president will be done to Kazakhstan. During the visit signing of a number of agreements touching upon Belarusian interests as well is possible.

Lukashenka: “We have complete identity of views with Iran” 19

11:25, — Politics

Alyaksandr Lukashenka states that there are no obstacles for development of trade and economic relations with Iran, and notes identity of views of the two states for the necessity to build a multi-polar world.

European and national flags seized from oppositionists’ apartment during search 6

10:57, — Politics

A private apartment of a member of the Young Front was searched on 21 May. Militiamen and people n civvies attached the property in the apartment and seized national and European flags.

Will Belarusian property be sold to Arab Sheikhs? 13

10:05, — Economics

Recently Alyaksandr Lukashenka has stated that soon the Belarusian market could become less open for European investors, as Belarus is “on the threshold of Eastern capital’s invasion”. “Lukashenka understands that Arab capital won’t modernize the economy in a way to become competitive in the markets he wants to enter. So his statements are a standard behaviour of a person who would like to sell at a higher price, and for the European Union’s demand to be lifted,” an economist Yaraslau Ramanchuk said.

Lukashenka invites danger of imposing sanctions on Belarus 2

8:29, — Politics

“Belarusian authorities provoke sanctions on Belarus,” the message of leaders of opposition democratic parties says.