On March 26 the Court of Soviet district of Minsk acquitted Uladzimir Likhadzeew. Aleh Volchek, chairman of the organization the “Legal Assistance to People” accused this man of assault and battery. The unpleasant incident took place last year after the organization the Legal Assistance to People was liquidated. Uladzimir Likhadzeew, Impex company head of department, attacked Aleh Volchek at a parking lot and delivered several blows by an iron object.

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Democratic development of youth movement in Belarus is in danger, consider representatives of the Belarusian Union of Youth and Children`s Public Associations (BUYCPA) “RADA”. This statement is to be included in the document “On situation in youth policy in Belarus” to be considered by the General Assembly of the organizations –members of the International Youth Festival. The Festival is to take place on August 8-14 in Barcelona (Spain).

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The Young Front activist Dzmitser Dashkevich was detained on March 28 at the border point “Kamenny Loh”. Belarusian customs officers detained him for three hours and had confiscated some documents and campaign materials.

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The Minsk City Prosecutor`s Office will ask its Russian colleagues to question RTR Zerkalo television program anchor Nikolay Svanidze and his guests of February 21, 2004 in connection with criminal charges brought against United Civil Party leader Anatoly Lebedko, investigator Alexander Pikarev said.

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The first issue of the revived Svaboda newspaper has appeared in Minsk. The newspaper is to be distributed during rallies and at the offices of democratic organizations. This mode of distribution is likely to continue. According to the paper`s publishers, Svaboda will be an unofficial and unregistered newspaper.

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One of the 10 people who have been on hunger strike since 22 March in the town of Smalyavichy near Minsk was hospitalized on Monday [29 March]. Tractor driver Mikalay Shanovich was taken to the Smalyavichy District Hospital after doctors diagnosed hepatitis. Pavel Yuzvak, director-general of a private company named Yuki, and his employees are on hunger strike to protest against the local authorities` order that the one-hectare land plot on which the company`s ready-mix concrete plant stands should be vacated.

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