BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
07/02/2008
Belarusian Oppositionist Denies His Release Is Sign Of Liberalization
Artur Finkevich, leader of the unregistered Youth Front organization, said on February 6 that his release from prison does not mean that Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime is loosening its grip, Belapan reported. Finkevich was immediately released after the court that was considering his appeal reduced his term from 18 to six months (see "RFE/RL Newsline," February 6, 2008). "Yes, the authorities released me, but they simultaneously took repressive measures against other representatives of the opposition," Finkevich said. He also said that the government's concessions are a result of pressure from the public and the West, but "these still are small concessions" that do not constitute "a consistent course toward the liberalization of the regime." Also on February 6, U.S. Ambassador to Belarus Karen Stewart welcomed Finkevich's release and said that the United States hopes "to see the remaining political prisoners released." The United States considers three other people to be political prisoners: former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin, former legislator Andrey Klimau, and journalist Alyaksandr Zdzvizhkou. AM
Source:
http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/02/3-cee/cee-070208.asp
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