BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

14/07/2006

Belarus opposition leader jailed

From correspondents in Minsk

A BELARUSSIAN court sentenced opposition leader Alexander Kozulin today to five-and-a-half years in prison for helping organise protests against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko, his wife said.

"Five-and-a-half years. Such a sentence is utter blasphemy," Irina Kozulina told reporters after emerging from the court.

"We intend to appeal. There is, of course little hope in this country. But we have to go through the proper procedures."

Mr Lukashenko, accused in the West of rigging the vote and of crushing fundamental rights, won 83 per cent of the vote in March. The proclamation of the results sparked unprecedented protests in the ex-Soviet state.

Source:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19785044-1702,00.html

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