News on 14.05.2008

14.05.2008

Valer Ukhnalou: “Boycott has no advantages” 30

16:18, — Politics

Coordinator of Charter’97 Zmitser Bandarenka and the Young Front organisation said boycott of the parliamentary “elections” was necessary. Valer Ukhnalou, secretary of the Central Committee of the Belarusian Communist Party, spoke about advantages and disadvantages of the possible boycott in an interview to “Tovarishch” newspaper.

Is Artist Ales Marachkin to be charged with insulting Lukashenka? 2

15:15, — Politics

On May 13 an artist Ales Marachkin was summoned to the police department of Tsentralny district of Minsk.

Natalya Kolyada: “Finally Europe has started to wonder what is going on in Belarusian culture” 2

14:33, — Culture

Belarus Free Theatre represented our country at the international conference “New paradigms New Paradigms, New Models – Culture in the EU External Relations” held in Ljubljana under the auspices of Slovenian government. Hans-Gerd Pöttering, president of the European Parliament, took part in the conference.

Anniversary of unlawful referendum: national flags all over Belarus (Photo) 15

13:09, — Politics

White-red-white national flags appeared in Minsk and other Belarusians towns on the 13th anniversary of referendum 1995, when national symbol were forbidden.

Period of US lawyer Zeltser's detention extended

12:10, — Politics

The Belarusian authorities have extended the period of detention of US lawyer Emanuel Zeltser kept in custody in Minsk, his defense counsel Dzmitry Harachka told BelaPAN.

Russian mass media about FARC, Viktor But and Belarusian weapons 13

10:38, — Politics

A Russian website NEWSru.com informs that Venezuela was set to deliver Belarusian weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels, and also seeks traces of “The Merchant of Death” Viktor Bout in Belarus.

Central Electoral Commission not to democratise electoral process 18

9:37, — Politics

Lidziya Yarmoshina, head of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), responded to the suggestions on improving of elections, prepared by members of the campaign “For Free Elections,” initiated by the “For Freedom” movement.

Today is birthday of political prisoner Syarhei Parsyukevich 7

9:08, — Politics

Dozens of birthday cards have been sent into the remand prison in Zhodzina for Syarhei Parsyukevich, the political prisoner, by his friends and associates. The businessman turns 41 on May 14.

UN Human Rights Committee registers complaints from two Belarusian opposition activists 4

9:03, — Politics

The UN Human Rights Committee has notified two opposition activists in Homyel that it registered their complaints over fines imposed on them by a district court.

Former director Zhdanovichy shopping centre placed to prison hospital after heart attack 2

8:38, — crime

A former director general of the shopping centre Zhdanovichy Yauhen Shyhalau has serious heart problems. On May 7 Yauhen Shyhalau was placed to the Republican prison hospital with a suspected heart attack.

Lukashenka: “You can expect the worst. I will run again” 126

8:29, — Politics

Alyaksandr Lukashenka said he was going to embark on forth presidential term. “"If the situation remains as it is today in the country and for me personally then, of course, I will run again. If the situation with me or in the country changes, I may take another decision. It is possible. So you can expect the worst,” the Belarusian dictator told in an interview to Reuters.