BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

28/01/2008

Belarusian Authorities Release Some Political Prisoners And Draft Expelled Student Into Army

Small-business owners and opposition activists jailed for 15 days over an unsanctioned January 10 protest against new government legislation on family businesses were released on January 25, several hours before the end of their sentences, Belapan and RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported. The same day, Belarusian authorities also released businessman Yury Lyavonau after he served 18 months in prison. Mikalay Autukhovich, Lyavonau's business partner, was released a week ago. Lyavonau and Autukhovich were charged with tax evasion and sentenced in July 2006 to three years and five months and three years and six months, respectively. Lyavonau and Autukhovich were widely regarded as prisoners of conscience. Jonathan Moore, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, welcomed the releases, but added that sanctions imposed by the United States on Belarusian officials and enterprises will remain unchanged unless the authorities release all prisoners, including Artur Finkevich, Alyaksandr Kazulin, and Andrey Klim. AM

Dzmitry Zhaleznichenka, who was recently expelled for the second time from Homel State University (see "RFE/RL's Newsline," January 24, 2008), was hastily drafted into the army on January 25, Belapan and RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported. Zhaleznichenka, a third-year student and a member of opposition Belarusian Popular Front, was expelled for alleged violation of internal university rules. Zhaleznichenka claims he was drafted while still a student and that the expulsion order was presented to him only at the enlistment office. Zhaleznichenka announced an indefinite hunger strike unless his draft order is revoked or he is transferred to a unit where orders are given in the Belarusian language. AM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/01/3-cee/cee-280108.asp