BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
05/02/2008
Prominent opposition figure released from prison in Belarus
MINSK, Belarus (AP) - A prominent opposition figure who fell afoul of authorities two years ago for graffiti construed as criticizing Belarus' authoritarian president was unexpectedly released from prison Tuesday.
Artur Finkevich, a member of the Young Front, was the second noted opposition member to be released this year. Belarus is coming under increasing pressure
from the United States and the European Union to relax its suppression of critics of President Alexander Lukashenko.
Finkevich was sentenced in 2006 to two years of internal exile for the graffiti. But in December, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for violating the conditions of the previous sentence.
Authorities could not be reached for comment on his release.
"I intend to continue to fight for those who are still behind bars," Finkevich said.
Lukashenko, an open admirer of the Soviet Union, has cracked down on dissent and independent news media since becoming president in 1994.
The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on him and his government, and the U.S. ambassador last year threatened further measures unless the government allowed more political freedom.
Belarus meanwhile is coming under increasing pressure from Russia, which sharply increased gas and oil prices last year. Belarus' largely centralized economy had depended on below-market oil and gas to remain competitive.
"Lukashenko is sending the EU and the United States clear signals about his wish to defrost contacts amid sharply worsening relations with Russia," said analyst Valery Karbalevich, discussion the release of Finkevich and the release last month of Zmitser Dashkevich, also of the Young Front.
Source:
http://www.pr-inside.com/prominent-opposition-figure-released-from-r423041.htm
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