In Babrujsk remand prison a trial in the administrative case behind closed doors was held. By the ruling of the court the activists of the Young Front Dzianis Bujnitski and Siarhei Latsinski are arrested for two days. It was told by the representative of the human rights center “Viasna” in Babrujsk Ihar Hodzka. “The judge was taken to the building of the remand prison, and there, behind closed doors, the trial took place,” the human rights watchdog said.

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The term of preliminary investigation of the murder of Veranika Charksasva, has been prolonged for two months more. On October 21 in the evening the head of the investigation department for particularly important cases in Minsk Prosecutor’s Office, Syarhei Ivanou, told about that to the “Belarusian Association of Journalists’ ” representatives.

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“We are concerned by the situation in Belarus. A great consistent work is needed here, moral and real support is needed to help Belarusians believe that freedom is possible,” told Former President of Poland Lech Walesa in the interview to Russian newspaper “Vremya Novostei”. “Such actions cause antagonistical response, as they clash with the interests of certain forces,” Walesa said.

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A rock concert that started on October 22 at the main square by the Palace of Arts in Babrujsk was called “Rok za babrou” (“Rock for Beavers”). About 2,000 Babrujsk dwellers gathered for the concert organized for promotion of the beer “Babrou” of “Siabar” brewery. 26 riot policemen from Mahilyou arrived to help 64 policemen in Babrujsk to provide security during the concert. The square was encircled. Law-enforcers observed the scene to prevent possible “provocations of nationalistic young people”.

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Lawyers are preparing a complaint against the measure of personal restraint to a businessman from Vaukavysk Mikalay Autukhovich, who has spent 10 days in Hrodna prison. A criminal action has been initiated against him for violation of the Article 243 Part 2, (tax evasion), which caused large damages for the state budget (679 mln rubles). He faces a punishment from three to seven years of imprisonment with confiscation of property or without it. From the first day of detention Mikalay Autukhovich announced a hunger strike protesting against the arrest. It is the third hunger strike for him this year.

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Another Polish citizen expelled from Belarus. Belarusian policemen detained, and after that put on a train to Warsaw a worker of the Strategic research center Michal Papina. A citizen of France, a volunteer of the Center of International Relations Sofie Vozniak has been deported together with him. The both have arrived to Belarus for a conference dedicated to the European Union.

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Despite the fact that the freedom of association in Belarus is guaranteed by the Constitution and other laws, its practical use remains quite problematic. Since 2003 the authorities have carried out the liquidation campaign towards the country’s public associations. Their liquidation was initiated by organs of the Ministry of Justice and carried out by courts. In 2003 in such a way there were liquidated 38 NGOs and in 2004 – 51. Besides, about 200 organizations have already self-liquidated due to different reasons.

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It looks like Russia has laid down serious conditions for Lukashenko before upcoming presidential elections. Kremlin even may try to ‘surprise’ international community by influencing Lukashenko and requiring him to refuse – in accordance with the Constitution of Belarus – from the third term. First, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergej Lavrov commented that Russia would soon start selling gas on global rates even to neighbors and allies, including Belarus.

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“I am not going to withdraw my candidature at the forthcoming presidential elections unless the people ask me to do this”, Alexander Lukashenko stated today when speaking to Loev residents in the course of his working visit to Gomel oblast.

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Warsaw - Unofficial exit polls in Poland`s presidential elections Sunday hailed a victory for right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) candidate Lech Kaczynski who scored nearly 54 per cent over liberal rival and leader of the Civic Platform (PO) Donald Tusk, with 46 or 47 per cent.

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The award “Hero of Europe” in the nomination “Brave Heart” to be given to the well-known Belarusian journalist Iryna Khalip today in London. “It means a lot to me. It is a recognition that there is nothing wrong when in a totalitarian state a journalist undertakes some functions of a community leader and a human rights watchdog,” Iryna said. “Unfortunately, the political field had been “mopped up” since all the charismatic opponents of Lukashenka disappeared without traces. And now when not many of us are left, the duty of every man, no matter what his profession is, is to do his best to change the situation in the country”. Together with Iryna Khalip, a French journalist from Liberation” newspaper Florence Obenas, kidnapped in Iraq, and a London metro driver who rescued people during the terrorist attacks on July 7.

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