Novychas2’s Weblog

Amnesty International is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Alyaksandr Zdzvizhkou, ex-deputy editor of a weekly independent newspaper, whom the organization believes to be a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.

On 18 January 2008 Alyaksandr Zdzvizhkou was sentenced by a Minsk city court to three years in a high-security prison, having been found guilty of “inciting racial, national, or religious enmity or discord” according to Article 130.1 of the Belarusian Criminal Code. The trial was held behind closed doors.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Please send cards or letters of support and solidarity to Alyaksandr Zdzvizhkou in prison. You can write in Belarusian, Russian, English or your own language. Your good wishes will be an invaluable source of support at this difficult time. If you would like to, you can send these messages in Belarusian:

I am thinking of you: Я думаю пра Вас

We are thinking of you: Мы думаем пра Вас

I am wishing you well: Я жадаю Вам усяго найлепшага

We are wishing you well: Мы жадаем Вам усяго найлепшага

Please send your greetings to:

Alyaksandr Zdzvizhkou

ul. Volodarskogo, 2,

SIZO No. 8470, 1 MVD

Belarus

Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible to the Belarusian authorities, in Belarusian, Russian, English or your own language:

• calling for the immediate and unconditional release of prisoner of conscience, Alyaksandr Zdzvizhkou

• reminding the Belarusian authorities of their obligations under Articles 19, 21 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Belarus is a state party, which guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association;

Please fax or send your appeals to:

President

Alyaksandr G. LUKASHENKA

ul. Karla Marxa 38, 220016 Minsk, BELARUS

Fax: +375 172 26 06 10, +375 172 22 38 72

Salutation: Dear President Lukashenka

Procurator General

Petr P. MIKLASHEVICH

ul. Internatsionalnaia 22, 220050 Minsk, BELARUS

Fax: +375 172 26 41 66

Salutation: Dear Procurator General

The court of the Pershamaiski District of Minsk sustained a claim of member of the “council of republic” Mikalai Charhinets. “Novy Chas” is to pay Charhinets 50 million rubles. Journalist Alexanedr Tamkovich must pay 1 million rubles.

It should be reminded that Charhinets laid claim on the publication of political feature “General-Senator Mikalai Charginets” by journalist Alexsander Tamkovich in the newspaper “Novy Chas.” The MP’s claims were caused by several episodes in the publication: from mentioning of literary slaves to amply style of the general and his inclination to self-praise. Charhinets was also insulted with the phrase about “low quality of his works.” The defense responded on every count.

Alexander Tamkovich said yesterday he was right in all counts. The defense also made a motion to literary expert examination of the Tamkovich’s feature. But judge Alena Ananich denied the request, and sustained the claim of the “insulted member of parliament,” – Charter97 reports.