Liudmila Hraznova: “Decision for Brussels”

A decision on Iryna Khalip's case was taken in hope for a positive reaction from Brussels.

Liudmila Hraznova, the head of the Human Rights Alliance, said it to Radio Svaboda.

“The decision was made in accordance with the law. But we must take into account that everything has political motives. We should bear it in mind. The thaw has already begun. It would be upprofitable for the Belarusian authorities to aggravate the political situation in the country in order not to spoil a dialogue with European countries,” the human rights activist thinks.

It should be reminded that a court lifted restrictions Iryna Khalip, journalist and wife of former political prisoner Andrei Sannikov, after expiration of her two-year probation period.

She received a two-year suspended sentence with two years of probation on May 16, 2011. The journalist was convicted in the case of so called mass disorders in Minsk on December 19, 2010, under part 1 of article 342 of the Criminal Code (organising and preparing the actions that breach public order, or taking active part in such actions). She was prohibited from leaving Minsk, had to visit a police department for weekly checks and stay at home after 22:00. A court could lift all restrictions from Iryna Khalip, send her to a correctional facility or extend a probation period.