On January 26 the trading enterprise “Mahilyoukniha” gave back unsold magazines to a voluntary distributor Ales Asiptsou, who was a middleman between this commercial enterprise and the editorial office of the magazine “ARCHE”. At the same time the direction of the “Mahilyoukniha” stated that they had terminated the contract with the editorial office unilaterally. By that contract the enterprise had agreed to sell the magazines in Mahilyou book shops, the BAJ informs.

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On February 1 the term given by the Justice Ministry to the political parties to transfer their branches from offices in living quarters to commercial and industrial premises. Oppositional parties failed to fulfil the demand of the Justice Ministry.

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The nomination group of Yaroslav Romanchuk, deputy leader of the United Civic Party (UCP) planning to run for parliament in a repeat election in Grodno, has received an official warning for what the authorities call premature campaigning.

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The commission of the labour colony-settlement number 26 by the village of Hezgaly in Dziatlau district, refused to grant a conditional early release to Professor Yuri Bandazheuski (Yury Bandazhevsky). Yuri Bandazheuski had served three thirds of the term, and according to the law he had a possibility to apply for a conditional early release. Professor had not committed any violations of discipline, and his state of health had deteriorated recently. However the commission of the colony did not take into consideration these facts and refused to release him in connection with absence of confession of guilt by Yuri Bandazheuski, and his disagreement to pay off legal coats.

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Struggle for Mihail Marinich continues. Hundreds of portraits of the imprisoned politician with slogan "Freedom to Marinich!" have been distributed during the previous week in Baranavichi. Graffiti "Freedom to Marinich!" were made in the center of the city.

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The up-to-date life in Belarus looks like a parody for the "best time" that people used to lead during the era of the USSR. The majority of Soviet citizens were fighting for healthy lifestyles, exemplary relations with work colleagues and moral image of the youth.

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European movement started the action to support Mihail Marinich, "The politician has been sentenced to five years detention in a medium-security colony and his property has been confiscated. He suffers from a heart condition and should be given urgent medical care. Civil society has no freedom of speech in Belarus . The only way its people can express their opinion and publicise illegal detentions is by distributing leaflets and writing graffiti. The people doing such things are often arrested and imprisoned for months. The European Movement declares its support and solidarity with Mikhail Marynich and will help Mr Marynich`s familiy and friends to gain support from all across Europe," - says statement of the European movement.

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National operator Beltelecom owing outer Inrenet channels has blocked access to Russian gays and lesbians web-sites. The requests are blocked at BelPack (Beltelecom branch) network routers.

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January. Sales of alcoholic beverages and beer in Belarus increased by 2.4 percent in 2004 from 8,020,600 dekaliters (dal) to 8,213,900 dal of pure alcohol.

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