Russia`s Memorial calls on Belarusian authorities to free Byalyatski

Memorial, a leading Russian human rights organization, has called on the Belarusian authorities to release human rights activist Ales Byalyatski who was arrested in Minsk a month ago on a tax-evasion charge following the disclosure of details of his bank accounts in Lithuania and Poland.

“It is clear to any impartial observer that he [Byalyatski] was arrested solely for his human rights activities and because money transferred to those accounts were spent on legal and financial assistance to political prisoners and their relatives,” Memorial said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Hiding political reprisals behind criminal charges is a common practice in countries with repressive regimes,” the organization said. “And among the victims is Byalyatski who is accused… of having to use a bank account opened in a neighboring country to finance activities of his organization and defend Belarusian citizens` rights.”

Human rights activities of Mr. Byalyatski and his group, closed by the Belarusian government as far back as 2004, were of particular importance following the authorities’ post-election crackdown on opponents, Memorial stressed.

Memorial has called on the Belarusian authorities to immediately release the rights activist and drop charges against him, as well as free all political prisoners convicted following last December’s post-election protest in Minsk.

It also urged the Russian authorities to take every step to secure the release of the activists in Belarus.

The 48-year-old Byalyatski, chairman of a human rights organization called Vyasna (Spring) and vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights, has been in detention since August 4.

On August 12, he was formally charged with large-scale tax evasion, an offense that carries a penalty of a “restricted freedom” term of up to five years or a prison term of three to seven years.

The charge stems from information about Mr. Byalyatski’s bank accounts abroad, which was provided by authorities in a number of European countries.

Mr. Byalyatski’s associates insist that the money in his bank accounts abroad should not be viewed as his personal income, as it was contributed by various foundations and intended to finance Vyasna’s activities.