BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

14/07/2006

EU Condemns Five Years Jail For Belarus Opposition Leader

The European Union on Friday sharply condemned the recent sentencing of a leading Belarusian opposition lawmaker to five years of hard labour. Former Minsk university rector Aleksander Kozulin was found guilty Thursday of calling on crowds to break into a state prison to release political prisoners during anti-government demonstrations earlier this year.

The Minsk court also found Kozulin guilty of violating Belarus' strict assembly laws, which forbid almost all forms of public protest.

A Friday EU official statement made public in Minsk criticised the ruling, saying in part "the court decision contradicts basic freedoms, the principle of rule of law, and international agreements signed by Belarus."

Kozulin was not in court at the time of his sentencing, as judges had cleared the premises of media and Kozulin's family, leaving only court personnel.

Kozulin's wife told Russian television the court proceeding "was absolutely shocking."

The EU statement accused Belarusian authoritarian leader Aleksander Lukashenko of using the state law enforcement apparatus to oppress his political opponents.

"We are convinced that if Kozulin had not been a Presidential candidate (against Lukashenko) this sentencing would never have taken place," the statement said.

Belarusian opposition forces with Kozulin at their head took to the streets in early March, after Lukashenko won a re-election internationally condemned as fixed.

The Lukashenko regime used force to break up the week-long protests, and arrested Kozulin immediately afterwards.

Aside from the police assault on protestors, the demonstrations were wholly peaceful, according to witnesses.

Source:

http://www.playfuls.com/news_00000001480_EU_Condemns_Five_Years_Jail_For_Belarus_Opposition_Leader_.html