Belarus(Further Information):
PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE ALLOWED TO MEET WIFE

BELARUSIAN OPPOSITION LEADERS JAILED

The organisers of a largely peaceful demonstration in Minsk, Belarus, against the rigging of elections on 19 December have been detained under suspicion of organising mass disorder. They face up to 15 years imprisonment. Among them are six of the nine opposition presidential candidates.

Prior to the election, opposition groups called on their supporters to gather in central Minsk after voting finished on 19 December. Up to 30,000 demonstrators gathered and marched to the parliament building unhindered by law enforcement officers, who stopped traffic to allow the demonstrators to pass. At around 9pm, they gathered outside the parliament building and opposition leaders gave speeches. At around 10pm, a group of about 20 masked young men who stood by the doors of parliament armed with batons called on the crowd to storm the building and started to break windows. Eyewitnesses report that Mykalau Statkevich, who was speaking at the time, called on the crowd to be peaceful. Shortly after this, riot police moved in and cleared the demonstrators from the Square.

Many opposition activists were detained at the demonstration and during the following night. One of them, Andrei Sannikau was injured during the break up of the demonstration and was detained by police officers on his way to hospital. His wife, Iryna Khalip, who was with him, reported the event live on air to a Russian radio station. Another, Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu was beaten by law enforcement officers as he made his way to the demonstration and was dragged from the intensive care department of a hospital by police officers. Among those detained is Natalya Radzina, the editor of Charter97 news website (see overleaf for full list). There are eighteen in total.

Amnesty International believes that the group have been targeted for legitimately exercising their right to freedom of expression and will consider them to be prisoners of conscience if they are sentenced for organizing or participating in the events of 19 December.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

List of those detained under suspicion of causing mass disorder:

Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu, Andrei Sannikau, Rygor Kastuseu, Alyaksei Mihalevich, Vital Rymasheusky and Mykalau Statkevich - presidential candidates
Alyaksandr Atroshchenkau, Pavel Sevyarinets, Zmitser Bandarenka, Anatol Lyabedska, Anastasiya Palazhanka, Andrei Dzmitzryeu, Tatsyana Shakal, Alyaksandr Fyaduta, Alyaksandr Klaskousky, Uladzimir Kobets – opposition activists
Iryna Khalip, Natallya Radzina – journalists

The organisers did not apply for permission as required under the Law on Mass Actions, but they did ask to discuss the planned demonstrations with the Ministry of Interior. Their request was turned down. According to the highly restrictive Law on Mass Events public events cannot take place within 200m of underground stations and pedestrian crossings which effectively make it impossible to hold any events in the centre of Minsk and all applications are refused.

UA: 264/10 Index: EUR 49/010/2010 Issue Date: 21 December 2010

Take action

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Belarusian, Russian or your own language:
-- Call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that Andrei Sannikau is not tortured or ill-treated;
-- Remind the Belarusian authorities that Andrei Sannikau is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of his human rights and that he should be released immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 JULY 2011 TO:
Prosecutor General
Grigory Vasilevich
Internatsionalnaya str. 22
220050 Minsk
BELARUS
Fax: +375 17 226 42 52
Salutation: Dear General Prosecutor

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the ninth update of UA 264/10 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/013/2011/en

OPPOSITION ACTIVIST TORTURED IN DETENTION

Andrei Sannikau, an opposition activist in Belarus and presidential candidate in the 19 December presidential election, has been tortured while in detention. Andrei Sannikau’s lawyer reported that his legs appear to be broken and the way he speaks and holds himself indicates that he may have brain damage. He needs urgent medical attention.

Andrei Sannikau was injured when police broke up a protest against reported election rigging during the presidential election on 19 December. According to eyewitnesses, he was assaulted by police who pinned him down with a riot shield and repeatedly jumped onto it, severely injuring his legs. Friends attempted to drive him to hospital, but the car was stopped by police and Andrei Sannikau was dragged out of the car and arrested. Witnesses claim that at this time he had no visible head injuries. His wife, Iryna Khalip, who was travelling in the car with him, was punched in the face and arrested.

Andrei Sannikau’s lawyer was allowed to visit him in detention on the evening of 20 December. According to the lawyer, Andrei Sannikau had new cuts and bruises on his arms, face and head, he was unable to stand and could barely move. The new injuries strongly suggest that Andrei Sannikau had been beaten again while in custody. The lawyer described his condition as “horrendous” and said that the way Andrei Sannikau spoke and held himself suggested he had suffered brain damage.

Amnesty International is gravely concerned that Andrei Sannikau may suffer irreversible brain damage and other injuries if he is not immediately transferred to a hospital where he can be given proper medical treatment. Amnesty International is also concerned that Andrei Sannikau remains at risk of torture as long as he is held in police custody.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Russian or your own language:
-- Calling for the immediate transfer of Andrei Sannikau to a hospital where he can receive all the medical treatment required;
-- Calling on the Belarusian authorities to take immediate action to ensure that Andrei Sannikau and the other presidential candidates are protected from torture or other ill-treatment at the hands of the police;
-- Noting that Amnesty International considers him to have been detained solely for exercising his right to peaceful protest;
-- Calling for his immediate and unconditional release.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 2 FEBRUARY 2011 TO:

President
Alyaksandr Lukashenka
Administratsia Prezidenta Respubliki Belarus
ul.Karla Marksa, 38
220016 Minsk, BELARUS
Fax: +375 17 226 06 10/ +375 17 222 38 72
Email: contact@president.gov.by
Salutation: Dear President Lukashenka


Send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the first update of UA 264/10. Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/010/2010/en

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Andrei Sannikau is a prominent Belarusian activist who formerly worked as Editor of Charter 97, an independent news website, and ran as an opposition candidate in the 19 December Presidential election in Belarus. President Alyaksandr Lukashenka won the election with just under 80% of the vote.

Prior to the election, opposition groups called on their supporters to gather in central Minsk after voting finished on 19 December. Up to 30,000 demonstrators gathered and marched to the parliament building unhindered by law enforcement officers, who stopped traffic to allow the demonstrators to pass. At around 9pm, they gathered outside the parliament building and opposition leaders gave speeches. At around 10pm, a group of about 20 masked young men who stood by the doors of parliament armed with batons called on the crowd to storm the building and started to break windows. Eyewitnesses report that Mykalau Statkevich, who was speaking at the time, called on the crowd to be peaceful. Shortly after this, riot police moved in and cleared the demonstrators from the Square.

Many opposition activists were detained at the demonstration and during the following night. Andrei Sannikau was injured during the break up of the demonstration and was detained by police officers on his way to hospital. His wife, Iryna Khalip, who was with him, reported the event live on air to a Russian radio station. Another, Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu was beaten by law enforcement officers as he made his way to the demonstration and was dragged from the intensive care department of a hospital by police officers. Among those detained is Natalya Radzina, the editor of Charter97 news website. There are eighteen in total.

Amnesty International believes that the group have been targeted for legitimately exercising their right to freedom of expression and will consider them to be prisoners of conscience if they are sentenced for organizing or participating in the events of 19 December.

FU UA: 246/10 Index: EUR 49/015/2010 Issue Date: 23 December 2010

Take action

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Belarusian, Russian or your own language:
-- Call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that Andrei Sannikau is not tortured or ill-treated;
-- Remind the Belarusian authorities that Andrei Sannikau is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of his human rights and that he should be released immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 JULY 2011 TO:
Prosecutor General
Grigory Vasilevich
Internatsionalnaya str. 22
220050 Minsk
BELARUS
Fax: +375 17 226 42 52
Salutation: Dear General Prosecutor

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the ninth update of UA 264/10 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/013/2011/en

FREE BELARUSIAN PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE

Amnesty International is calling for the release of 15 Belarusian activists and journalists who have been charged with ‘organizing mass disorder’ following a demonstration on 19 December to protest against the results of the Presidential election.

Over 700 people were detained for their participation in the demonstration. Most have since been released after serving short administrative sentences, but key political figures, activists and journalists are still detained in what appears to be a clampdown on opposition activity.

To date, there are 30 opposition activists and journalists, including five Presidential candidates, who have been detained and charged. Their trials are expected to be held in two to three months and they risk being sentenced to up to 15 years’ imprisonment. They are reportedly being denied adequate access to lawyers and doctors despite some sustaining injuries during the demonstration after being beaten by riot police.

Amnesty International is gathering information on all 30 detainees. Currently, the organization has sufficient information to confirm that 15 of them did not resort to or incite violence before or during the demonstration. The organization believes that these 15 detainees are facing charges solely because of the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression and is calling for their immediate and unconditional release and for the charges against them to be dropped. Additionally, a further 14 people are in detention awaiting charge, having also been detained following the demonstration. As further information is collated, it is likely that more prisoners of conscience will be identified.

One Presidential candidate, Vital Rymasheusky, and two opposition activists, Anatol Paulau and Aleg Korban
have been charged with ‘organizing mass disorder’ but they have been released from detention. Amnesty
International is calling for the charges brought against them to be dropped.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To date, the 15 prisoners of conscience are:
Presidential candidates:Alyaksei Mihalevich, Mykalau Statkevich, Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu and Andrei Sannikau
Journalists:Natallya Radzina, Editor of Charter 97 website, Iryna Khalip correspondent for the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, and Syargei Vaznyak, Editor of the newspaper “Comrade”
Political commentator:Alyaksandr Fyaduta
Opposition activists: Pavel Sevyarynets an opposition activist and member of Vital Rymasheusky’s campaign team, Anatol Lyabedka a member of the United Civic Party, Uladzimir Kobets, a member of Alyaksandr Sannikov’s campaign team, Zmitser Bandarenka, the coordinator of the opposition European Belarus campaign, Alyaksandr Arastovych, and Syargei Martseleu, members of Mykalau Statkevich’s campaign team, and Anastasiya Palazhanka, the deputy leader of the Young Front movement.

Prior to the election, opposition groups called on their supporters to gather in central Minsk after voting finished on 19 December. Up to 30,000 demonstrators gathered and marched to the parliament building unhindered by law enforcement officers, who stopped traffic to allow the demonstrators to pass. At around 9pm, they gathered outside the parliament building and opposition leaders gave speeches. At around 10pm, a group of about 20 masked young men who stood by the doors of parliament armed with batons called on the crowd to storm the building and started to break windows. Eyewitnesses report that presidential candidate, Mykalau Statkevich, who was speaking at the time, called on the crowd to be peaceful. Shortly after this, riot police moved in and cleared the demonstrators from the Square. Many opposition activists were detained at the demonstration and during the following night.

UA: 264/10 Index: EUR 49/001/2011 Issue Date: 12 January 2011

Take action

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Belarusian, Russian or your own language:
-- Call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that Andrei Sannikau is not tortured or ill-treated;
-- Remind the Belarusian authorities that Andrei Sannikau is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of his human rights and that he should be released immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 JULY 2011 TO:
Prosecutor General
Grigory Vasilevich
Internatsionalnaya str. 22
220050 Minsk
BELARUS
Fax: +375 17 226 42 52
Salutation: Dear General Prosecutor

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the ninth update of UA 264/10 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/013/2011/en

DEMAND RELEASE OF BELARUSIAN ACTIVISTS

Among the 30 people detained for taking part in and organizing the demonstration in Minsk on 19 December, two, Natallya Radzina, and Syargei Vaznyak, have been released under bail conditions. Two more, Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu and Iryna Khalip, are now under house arrest. Alyaksandr Atroshchankau has been added to the list of prisoners of conscience.

Natallya Radzina wrote on the Charter website, an opposition news website, after her release: “I am free only because of you. Because of each human rights activist, each politician or journalist who supported me even just with words, it is thanks to your support and your prayers. I am no mythological hero; together you are a huge uncrushable force, capable of influencing events.” Syargei Vaznyak commented on the prison conditions: "I was not being targeted. It was bad for everyone. The detention centre is overcrowded. It is not right that in the 21st century, people who are suspects, and may still be acquitted are kept in such conditions.”

Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu was brought home to his flat at 10.35 pm on 29 January and was able to say to journalists: “Thank you very much to all! I am grateful for the support”. Iryna Khalyp was able to return home to her son Danil and her parents.

The conditions of the house arrest under which Iryna Khalyp and Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu are living are draconian. There are two KGB officers living in their flats at all times, they are not allowed to leave their flats , open the door, approach the windows or make phone calls. Amnesty International considers such conditions to be equivalent to imprisonment and considers that they are still prisoners of conscience.

Amnesty International has been able to confirm that Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, the press secretary of Andrei Sannikov, is a prisoner of conscience. It is likely that other detainees, about whom Amnesty International has not yet been able to gather enough information, are also prisoners of conscience.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There are now 14 prisoners of conscience:
Presidential candidates: Alyaksei Mihalevich, Mykalau Statkevich, Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu and Andrei Sannikau
Journalists: Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, the press secretary of Andrei Sannikov, Iryna Khalip correspondent for the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta,
Political commentator: Alyaksandr Fyaduta
Opposition activists: Pavel Sevyarynets an opposition activist and member of Vital Rymasheusky’s campaign team, Anatol Lyabedka a member of the United Civic Party, Uladzimir Kobets, a member of Alyaksandr Sannikov’s campaign team, Zmitser Bandarenka, the coordinator of the opposition European Belarus campaign, Alyaksandr Arastovych, and Syargei Martseleu, members of Mykalau Statkevich’s campaign team, and Anastasiya Palazhanka, the deputy leader of the Young Front movement.

FU UA: 264/10 Index: EUR 49/002/2011 Issue Date: 31 January 2011

Take action

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Belarusian, Russian or your own language:
-- Call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that Andrei Sannikau is not tortured or ill-treated;
-- Remind the Belarusian authorities that Andrei Sannikau is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of his human rights and that he should be released immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 JULY 2011 TO:
Prosecutor General
Grigory Vasilevich
Internatsionalnaya str. 22
220050 Minsk
BELARUS
Fax: +375 17 226 42 52
Salutation: Dear General Prosecutor

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the ninth update of UA 264/10 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/013/2011/en

DEMAND RELEASE OF BELARUSIAN ACTIVISTS

Those accused of organizing or taking part in demonstrations on 19 December in Minsk are now on trial, and one of those recognized as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International has already been sentenced to four years in prison.

Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, who was press secretary to presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov, was sentenced on 2 March to four years' imprisonment for taking part in the demonstration. His wife, Darya Korsak, told journalists that he had managed to tell her in the courtroom on 2 March that he had been tortured in the KGB pre-trial detention centre in Minsk. He said he had been handcuffed, forced to stand for hours in uncomfortable positions, and to perform physical exercises while naked. He said masked men had handcuffed him into painful positions. Darya Korsak has complained to the Prosecutor General's office about this torture and other ill-treatment of her husband, inflicted by KGB officers. His time in pre-trial detention began on 20 December 2010: he was never allowed to see his wife or his lawyer in private. His wife maintains this was an attempt to conceal evidence of torture.

Alyaksei Mihalevich was released on 19 February, and held a press conference on 28 February, where he spoke out about the torture and other ill-treatment that had been inflicted on him and other detainees. He said that all the detainees were taken out of the cells five or six times a day for body searches. They would be made to stand with their legs so far apart that it was difficult to walk afterwards because of the pain. They would be made to stand to naked for about 40 minutes in a room where the temperature did not exceed 10C. He also said that during the searches detainees would be made to perform physical exercises.

Amnesty International is concerned that those still detained, including Andrei Sannikov, whose lawyer has been debarred, are at risk of ill-treatment. On 4 March, when Andrei Sannikov's mother tried to deliver a food parcel to him, she was turned away by the prison authorities, who said he was too unwell to receive the parcel.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There are now 12 prisoners of conscience:
Presidential candidates: Mykalau Statkevich, Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu and Andrei Sannikau
Journalists: Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, the press secretary of Andrei Sannikau, Iryna Khalip correspondent for the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, Syargei Vaznyak, Editor of the newspaper “Comrade”
Political commentator: Alyaksandr Fyaduta
Opposition activists: Pavel Sevyarynets an opposition activist and member of Vital Rymasheusky’s campaign team, Anatol Lyabedka a member of the United Civic Party, Uladzimir Kobets, a member of Alyaksandr Sannikau’s campaign team, Zmitser Bandarenka, the coordinator of the opposition European Belarus campaign, Alyaksandr Arastovych, and Syargei Martseleu, members of Mykalau Statkevich’s campaign team

On 29 January, prisoner of conscience Syargei Vaznyak was released on bail. On 17 February, prisoner of conscience Anastasiya Palazhanka, the deputy leader of the Young Front movement was released on bail and on 19 February, prisoner of conscience Alyaksei Mihalevich, was also released on bail.

Further information on UA: 264/10 Index: EUR 49/007/2011 Issue Date: 7 March 2011

Take action

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Belarusian, Russian or your own language:
-- Call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that Andrei Sannikau is not tortured or ill-treated;
-- Remind the Belarusian authorities that Andrei Sannikau is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of his human rights and that he should be released immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 JULY 2011 TO:
Prosecutor General
Grigory Vasilevich
Internatsionalnaya str. 22
220050 Minsk
BELARUS
Fax: +375 17 226 42 52
Salutation: Dear General Prosecutor

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the ninth update of UA 264/10 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/013/2011/en

THREE NEW PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE IN BELARUS

Trials against those accused of taking part in or organizing the demonstration in Minsk, Belarus, on 19 December are continuing. Three activists have received sentences, and nine others remain in detention or under house arrest.

Prominent activist Zmitser Dashkevich, leader of the Young Front organization, and fellow Young Front member Eduard Lobau, were sentenced to two and four years in a labour colony respectively on 25 March for allegedly assaulting passers-by the day before the election on 19 December. Another Young Front activist present at the time told Amnesty International that the group had in fact been attacked, and that the two had been detained to prevent them taking part in the demonstration on 19 December. He said four men had asked them for directions and then punched Zmitser Dashkevich and Eduard Lobau. Police arrived within minutes and detained the three activists and two of the attackers without asking any questions. Zmitser Dashkevich and Eduard Lobau were convicted on the basis of testimony from the two attackers detained with them.

On 29 March Mikita Likhavid (20 years old) was sentenced to three years and six months in a labour colony on charges of "mass disorder", for peacefully participating in the opposition demonstrations in December. Mikita Likhavid was among protesters beaten by riot police in disturbances that followed the disputed election on 19 December, in which President Alyaksandr Lukashenka was re-elected for the fourth time amid allegations of vote rigging. Mikita Likhavid was initially detained for an administrative offence but then faced criminal charges, despite the policeman who filed his arrest warrant admitting in court that he had not seen Mikita Likhavid during the protest. Twelve policemen testified in court to having been beaten by Mikita Likhavid.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In the immediate aftermath of the Belarus presidential election on 19 December, more than 20,000 people gathered in the centre of the capital Minsk to protest against election rigging and show support for opposition candidates. Seven of the nine opposition presidential candidates were detained in the ensuing police crackdown along with over 600 peaceful demonstrators, many of whom were beaten by riot police. On 25 March, dozens of political and trade union activists, as well as journalists, were detained to prevent them participating in any activities to mark Freedom Day, the anniversary of the creation of the Belarusian People's Republic in 1918. According to observers 70 people were detained in connection with the event – 52 in Minsk and 18 elsewhere.

There are now 12 prisoners of conscience:
Presidential candidates:Mykalau Statkevich, Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu and Andrei Sannikau
Journalists:Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, the press secretary of Andrei Sannikau, Iryna Khalip correspondent for the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta,
Opposition activists:Pavel Sevyarynets an opposition activist and member of Vital Rymasheusky’s campaign team, Uladzimir Kobets, a member of Alyaksandr Sannikau’s campaign team, Zmitser Bandarenka, the coordinator of the opposition European Belarus campaign, and Syargei Martseleu, member of Mykalau Statkevich’s campaign team, Zmitser Dashkevich, leader of the Young Front organization, Eduard Lobau, Young Front member
Student:Mikita Likhavid

On 29 January Sergei Vaznyak was released on bail, on 6 April Anatol Lyabedka, and on 8 April Alyaksandr Fyaduta were released on bail, but the charges against them remain. Amnesty International continues to gather information about other protesters detained for their participation in the demonstration on 19 December and anticipates that further prisoners of conscience will be declared.

Further information on UA: 264/10 Index: EUR 49/009/2011 Issue Date: 14 April 2011

Take action

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Belarusian, Russian or your own language:
-- Call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that Andrei Sannikau is not tortured or ill-treated;
-- Remind the Belarusian authorities that Andrei Sannikau is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of his human rights and that he should be released immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 JULY 2011 TO:
Prosecutor General
Grigory Vasilevich
Internatsionalnaya str. 22
220050 Minsk
BELARUS
Fax: +375 17 226 42 52
Salutation: Dear General Prosecutor

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the ninth update of UA 264/10 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/013/2011/en

DETAINED PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ILL-TREATED

On 12 May, prisoner of conscience Andrei Sannikau, a former Belarusian presidential candidate, made a statement during his trial about the physical and psychological ill-treatment that he has suffered in detention. He is also being denied medical assistance for a painful condition.

In Andrei Sannikau's statement, made on the ninth day of his trial, he said that the evidence being used against him was obtained under torture. He said that when first detained on 19 December, he was beaten and denied access to the toilet for hours. He said that every day he was made to carry all his personal belongings to a cold cellar where he was forced to stand naked by the wall, with arms and legs outstretched for long periods and made to squat. Despite complaining of a painful leg, which was injured during his detention, he was not allowed to change position. People in masks, who were also in the room, hit the walls with batons, shouted and kicked him. Andrei Sannikau added that he has been kept in handcuffs constantly in detention and made to walk in stress-positions.

Andrei Sannikau also stated that when he refused to confess, during a conversation with the head of the KGB, he was told ‘in this case we will apply more brutal measures to your wife and child.’ Aware that his wife was also in detention and that efforts were being made to take his son into care, he took the threats seriously and tried to cooperate. He was refused access to a lawyer and only able to meet with a lawyer in private on 22 March, over three months after his detention. For a whole month, he was not able to send or receive letters and says that throughout his detention he has been isolated from outside information.

Andrei Sannikau's health has deteriorated in detention. He suffers from acute gout and is experiencing considerable pain, but his repeated requests for pain relief during the hearing have been refused. On several occasions, Andrei Sannikau has requested a break in proceedings because he felt unwell, but has been refused. He has only been seen by an official medical representative, who said his health was not serious enough to need further assistance. His lawyers also requested that his petitions for medical assistance be added to his casefile, but the judge has also refused this request. Additionally, Andrei Sannikau has been denied adequate food and water during the trial.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Andrei Sannikau is one of 13 prisoners of conscience who are currently detained in Belarus in connection with a largely peaceful demonstration that took place on 19 December 2010. Tens of thousands of Belarusians had gathered in central Minsk to protest against unfair elections. The demonstration was mostly peaceful, but when a violent incident broke out at the doors of Government House, riot police moved in to disperse the crowds. Over 700 people were detained, the overwhelming majority of whom had been peaceful participants and bystanders.

Most of the detained were charged with administrative offences and sentenced to 10 – 15 days’ imprisonment. However, a considerable number, including six of the seven opposition presidential candidates, other opposition activists and leading independent journalists, have been charged with ‘organizing mass disorder’ and risk being sentenced to up to 15 years imprisonment. Since the demonstration, the authorities have conducted country-wide searches of opposition and media offices, and human rights defenders, lawyers and other civil society activists have witnessed an unprecedented clampdown on their activities. Many have been detained in the months following the demonstration.

Of the 13 prisoners of conscience to date, five have been sentenced to between two and four years’ imprisonment. Individuals named in previous updates to UA 264/10 who are not named below have now been released on bail. Individuals named in the list below but not named in previous updates have not recently been detained, but Amnesty International has only recently been informed about their situation.

The 13 prisoners of conscience are:
Presidential candidates:
1. Mykalau Statkevich, 2. Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu, 3. Andrei Sannikau

Journalists:
4. Iryna Khalip, correspondent of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta,

Opposition activists:
5. Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, press secretary to Andrei Sannikau, 6. Zmitser Bandarenka, activist for Andrei Sannikau, 7. Zmitser Dashkevich, leader of the youth movement Young Front, 8. Eduard Lobau, member of the youth movement Young Front, 9. Mikita Likhavid, Student, 10. Ales Kirkevich, member of the youth movement Young Front, 11. Pavel Sevarnyets, activist for opposition presidential candidate Vital Rymasheusky, 12. Syargei Martseleu, activist for Mykalau Statkevich, 13. Dmitry Bulanov, nurse.

FU on UA: 264/10 Index: EUR 49/011/2011 Issue Date: 13 May 2011

Take action

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Belarusian, Russian or your own language:
-- Call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that Andrei Sannikau is not tortured or ill-treated;
-- Remind the Belarusian authorities that Andrei Sannikau is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of his human rights and that he should be released immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 JULY 2011 TO:
Prosecutor General
Grigory Vasilevich
Internatsionalnaya str. 22
220050 Minsk
BELARUS
Fax: +375 17 226 42 52
Salutation: Dear General Prosecutor

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the ninth update of UA 264/10 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/013/2011/en

FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE GIVEN FIVE YEARS

On 14 May, prisoner of conscience, Andrei Sannikau, was sentenced to five years in prison by a court in Minsk. Amnesty International believes that the former Presidential candidate has been sentenced solely for the peaceful exercise of this right to freedom of assembly and expression and is calling for his immediate and unconditional release.

A day before he was sentenced, Andrei Sannikau made a statement in court, claiming that he was tortured and ill-treated in detention and that evidence used against him was obtained under torture. Amnesty International believes that charges against Andrei Sannikau for ‘organizing mass disorder’ are unfounded and that the authorities’ attempts to incriminate him are part of a broader clampdown against the opposition and civil society at large, following the demonstration.

The organization condemns the Belarusian authorities’ failure to provide Andrei Sannikau with adequate medical treatment for his deteriorating health. On several occasions during his trial, Andrei Sannikau requested medical assistance but his requests were repeatedly refused.

Three further prisoners of conscience were also sentenced on Monday 16 May. Andrei Sannikau’s wife, Iryna Khalip, a journalist, was given a two-year suspended sentence and opposition activists Pavel Sevarnyets and Syargei Martseleu were sentenced to three years in a correctional facility and two years’ probation, respectively. All three were charged with breaching public order, following their participation in a demonstration in December.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Andrei Sannikau is one of 11 prisoners of conscience who are currently imprisoned or detained in Belarus in connection with a largely peaceful demonstration that took place on 19 December 2010. Tens of thousands of Belarusians gathered in central Minsk to protest against unfair elections. The demonstration was mostly peaceful, but when a violent incident broke out at the doors of Government House, riot police moved in to disperse the crowds. Over 700 people were detained, the overwhelming majority of whom had been peaceful participants and bystanders.

Most of the detained were charged with administrative offences and sentenced to 10 – 15 days’ imprisonment. However, a considerable number, including six of the seven opposition presidential candidates, other opposition activists and leading independent journalists, were charged, including with ‘organizing mass disorder’ and risk being sentenced to up to 15 years’ imprisonment. Since the demonstration, the authorities have conducted country-wide searches of opposition and media offices, and human rights defenders, lawyers and other civil society activists have witnessed an unprecedented clampdown on their activities. Many have been detained in the months following the demonstration.

Of the 11 prisoners of conscience to date, seven have been sentenced to between two and five years’ imprisonment. Individuals named in previous updates to UA 264/10 who are not named below have now been released on bail. Individuals named in the list below but not named in previous updates have not recently been detained, but Amnesty International has only recently been informed about their situation.

The 11 prisoners of conscience are:

Presidential candidates:
1.Mykalau Statkevich 2. Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu 3. Andrei Sannikau

Opposition activists:
4.Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, press secretary to Andrei Sannikau 5. Zmitser Bandarenka, activist for Andrei Sannikau 6. Zmitser Dashkevich, leader of the youth movement Young Front 7. Eduard Lobau, member of the youth movement Young Front 8. Mikita Likhavid, Student 9. Ales Kirkevich, member of the youth movement Young Front 10. Pavel Sevarnyets, activist for opposition presidential candidate Vital Rymasheusky 11. Dmitry Bulanov, nurse.

FU on UA: 264/10 Index: EUR 49/012/2011 Issue Date: 16 May 2011

Take action

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Belarusian, Russian or your own language:
-- Call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that Andrei Sannikau is not tortured or ill-treated;
-- Remind the Belarusian authorities that Andrei Sannikau is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of his human rights and that he should be released immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 JULY 2011 TO:
Prosecutor General
Grigory Vasilevich
Internatsionalnaya str. 22
220050 Minsk
BELARUS
Fax: +375 17 226 42 52
Salutation: Dear General Prosecutor

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the ninth update of UA 264/10 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/013/2011/en

PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE NOW INCOMMUNICADO

Presidential candidate Andrei Sannikau, who was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on 14 May, is now being held incommunicado. He is at serious risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

Andrei Sannikau was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on 14 May, for taking part in the post-election demonstration on 19 December 2010 in Minsk. During his trial, Andrei Sannikau made a public statement in which he said he had been tortured and otherwise ill-treated in detention, and accused the head of the KGB detention facility of threatening “the life and health” of his wife and child.

On 17 May, Andrei Sannikau’s wife, and his mother, went to Partyzankski district court in Minsk and asked to be allowed to meet with him; the court granted permission immediately. On the morning of 18 May, when they arrived at the KGB detention facility, where they believed Andrei Sannikau was held, and asked to meet with him, they were told that he was not detained there. The two women went on to a second detention facility, where prisoners are held before being transferred to prison, but they were told that he was not there either. They phoned a third detention facility and got the same answer.

Hours later, Andrei Sannikau’s lawyer was told that he was, in fact, being detained in the KGB detention facility. Neither his lawyer nor his family have been given access to him. Being held incommunicado in this fashion puts Andrei Sannikau at serious risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Andrei Sannikau is one of 11 prisoners of conscience who have been detained since a largely peaceful demonstration that took place on 19 December 2010.

On the ninth day of his trial, Andrei Sannikau said in a statement that the evidence against him had been obtained under torture. He described the methods used to subject him to both physical and psychological pressure, and the authorities’ demands that he confess, in line with their requirements. When he refused to confess, the head of the KGB told him, “in this case we will apply more brutal measures to your wife and child.” Aware that his wife had also been detained, and that efforts were being made to take his son into care, he took the threats seriously and tried to cooperate. He was refused access to a lawyer and only able to meet with a lawyer in private on 22 March, when he had been detained for over three months. For a whole month, he was not able to send or receive letters and says that throughout his detention he has been isolated from outside information.

The 11 prisoners of conscience are:

Presidential candidates Mykalau Statkevich, Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu and Andrei Sannikau

Opposition activists Alyaksandr Atroshchankau (press secretary to Andrei Sannikau); Zmitser Bandarenka (activist for Andrei Sannikau); Zmitser Dashkevich, leader of the youth movement Young Front; Eduard Lobau, member of Young Front; Mikita Likhavid, student; Ales Kirkevich, member of Young Front; Pavel Sevarnyets, activist for opposition presidential candidate Vital Rymasheusky; Dmitry Bulanov, nurse.

Further information on UA: 264/10 Index: EUR 49/013/2011 Issue Date: 18 May 2011

Take action

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Belarusian, Russian or your own language:
-- Call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that Andrei Sannikau is not tortured or ill-treated;
-- Remind the Belarusian authorities that Andrei Sannikau is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of his human rights and that he should be released immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 JULY 2011 TO:
Prosecutor General
Grigory Vasilevich
Internatsionalnaya str. 22
220050 Minsk
BELARUS
Fax: +375 17 226 42 52
Salutation: Dear General Prosecutor

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the ninth update of UA 264/10 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/013/2011/en

PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE ALLOWED TO MEET WIFE

Former Presidential candidate, Andrei Sannikau, was granted an hour-long meeting with his wife, Iryna Khalip, on 20 May at the remand prison on Valadarsky Street in Minsk. This followed the Urgent Action issued on 18 May. This was the first time he was allowed to meet with her in five months.

Iryna Khalip reported that Andrei Sannikau appeared well and was in good spirits during the hour-long meeting which took place through a glass screen. He asked her to thank all those who had supported him and his family, and all the journalists and human rights activists who have continued to write about the events of 19 December in Minsk.

Despite being granted permission for a meeting by a court on 17 May, Andrei Sannikau’s wife and mother-in-law were unable to locate him on 18 May, raising concerns that he was being held incommunicado. Iryna Khalip was given a two-year suspended sentence on 16 May for her participation in the demonstrations in Minsk on 19 December 2010.

On 14 May, Andrei Sannikau was sentenced to five years in prison for taking part in the post-election demonstration on 19 December 2010 in Minsk. Amnesty International believes that the former Presidential candidate has been sentenced solely for the peaceful exercise of this right to freedom of assembly and expression and is calling for his immediate and unconditional release.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Andrei Sannikau is one of 11 prisoners of conscience who are currently imprisoned or detained in Belarus in connection with a largely peaceful demonstration that took place on 19 December 2010.

On the ninth day of his trial, Andrei Sannikau made a statement saying that the evidence being used against him was obtained under torture. He elaborated on the methods used to subject him to both physical and psychological pressure and the authorities’ demands that he confess, according to their requirements. Andrei Sannikau also stated that when he refused to confess, during a conversation with the head of the KGB, he was told ‘in this case we will apply more brutal measures to your wife and child.’ Aware that his wife was also in detention and that efforts were being made to take his son into care, he took the threats seriously and tried to cooperate. He was refused access to a lawyer and only able to meet with a lawyer in private on 22 March, over three months after his detention. For a whole month, he was not able to send or receive letters and says that throughout his detention he has been isolated from outside information.

The 11 prisoners of conscience are:

Presidential candidates:
1.Mykalau Statkevich 2. Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu 3. Andrei Sannikau

Opposition activists:
4. Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, press secretary to Andrei Sannikau 5. Zmitser Bandarenka, activist for Andrei Sannikau 6. Zmitser Dashkevich, leader of the youth movement Young Front 7. Eduard Lobau, member of the youth movement Young Front 8. Mikita Likhavid, Student 9. Ales Kirkevich, member of the youth movement Young Front 10. Pavel Sevarnyets, activist for opposition presidential candidate Vital Rymasheusky 11. Dmitry Bulanov, nurse.

Further Information on UA: 264/10 Index: EUR 49/014/2011 Issue Date: 23 May 2011

Take action

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Belarusian, Russian or your own language:
-- Call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that Andrei Sannikau is not tortured or ill-treated;
-- Remind the Belarusian authorities that Andrei Sannikau is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of his human rights and that he should be released immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 JULY 2011 TO:
Prosecutor General
Grigory Vasilevich
Internatsionalnaya str. 22
220050 Minsk
BELARUS
Fax: +375 17 226 42 52
Salutation: Dear General Prosecutor

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the ninth update of UA 264/10 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/013/2011/en