A new norm would be introduced to the Criminal Code of Belarus. It stipulates for accountability of officials for non-achievement of targets which were a condition for granting state backing. This provision is contained in the amendments to the Criminal Code toughening responsibility for crimes connected with corruption. These amendments have been adopted today by the “chamber of representatives” in two readings.
On the Day of Belarusian Solidarity, June 16 at 8 p.m. Belarusians will pray on the stairs of the building of St. Joseph’s church (Cyril and Methodius Street, 4) for return of the building to the Catholic Church.
An activist of the Young Front Zmitser Liseenka had to stand trial in the court of Kastrychnitski district for making graffiti “Freedom to Shchukin!” Policemen drew up a report against him for petty hooliganism. Under article 17 of the Administrative Violations Code activist faces a fine or an arrest.
A slew of incendiary statements coming out of Moscow over the past few weeks have many Western observers concerned that a new Cold War between Russia and the United Sates is rapidly taking shape. Bolstered by an ambitious military modernization program, energy and arms revenues and a growing global distaste for perceived U.S. hegemony, Russian President Vladimir Putin has used his growing influence both at home and abroad to confront what he sees as Washington`s growing "imperialist" actions.
Italians have been informed that Mika Maroz cannot be subject to international adoption. As Italian newspaper Liguria Notizie reported with a reference to Belarusian Ambassador in Roma, such a decision had been taken by Education Ministry of Belarus on June 5.
The C.I.S. is left without the head if the chairman of the executive committee of the Commonwealth may be considered as such.14 June the term of Vladimir Rushailo’s responsibilities at this post elapsed. But thanks to Alyaksandr Lukashenka he will remain at this post for some time as the acting chairman. It is to be mentioned that at the informal summit of the C.I.S. in St. Petersburg on 10 June it was Lukashenka who vetoed former chairman of the electoral commission of Russia Aleksandr Veshnyakov’s election for this post. It was another conflict in the Russian-Belarusian relations.
A disciplinary punishment has been inflicted upon a political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin again. He has been refused a short-term meeting with relatives, Kazulin’s press-service informs. The meeting was to take place in summer this year. A director of the colony No.3 Vitaly Agnistsikau issued the disciplinary punishment.
Amnesty International has written today to the Belarusian Minister of the Interior and to the Procurator General to protest the planned deportation of Jaroslaw Lukasik. A Protestant pastor and member of the Union of Evangelical Faith Christians, Jaroslaw Lukasik, was sentenced on 30 May 2007 for engaging in “illegal religious activity” and issued with a deportation order, according to which he was given eight days to leave the country. That deadline expires today. He was also fined one month’s salary. Jaroslaw Lukasik is a Polish citizen who has been resident in Belarus since 1999. His wife and three children are all Belarusian citizens.
Today the “chamber of representatives” of the Belarusian parliament has adopted amendments to the Criminal Code on the issue of aggravation of responsibility for crimes related to corruption.
The prosecutor of Leninski district of Mahilyou refused to initiate a criminal case against policemen who beat up a public activist Syarhei Girkin on May 22 during the rally against repeal of benefits. Syarhei Girkin is a disabled person since childhood. The prosecutor’s office decided that actions of policemen were legal, Radio Svaboda informs.
A run of bad luck is beginning for Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The International Labour Organization (ILO) promises a great deal of trouble to Minsk. Recently Belarus was added to a special paragraph of its report. Against this background the decision of the EU to expel Belarus from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) which is to come into force on June 21, are unlikely to be canceled, Russian “Nezavisimaya gazeta” writes. Independent experts comment the situation and say that Belarus’ expelling from the GSP together with the problems Russia caused for Belarus by increasing prices for energy resources and forcing to open the market for Russian goods, which could cause serious financial problems.
Dear Colleagues. Remember, please, you are expected to refer to the Charter`97 Press Center when using the site materials. News export , javascript-informer
, javascript-informer
