News on 8.07.2008

8.07.2008

Aleh Ihnatsenka: Lukashenka was scandalised at absence of Sheiman during a blast near stele 1

17:34, — Politics

Aleh Ihnatsenka, who worked as a head of department of control service of Lukashenka, commented on dismissal of Sheiman and Nyavyhlas. He thinks the night blast in Minsk is only a pretext for a dismissal, the real reason is different.

Anatol Lyabedzka: ”Scent of bomb blast goes to government agencies” 2

16:04, — Politics

Head of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka commented on searches and summons of oppositional figures to militia over the case of bomb blast in Minsk on 4 July.

Mikola Statkevich: “Moral coercion is to extend” 5

15:55, — Politics

Yesterday an activist from Barysau, Alesya Yasiuk, made a statement about moral coercion and torture by policemen. Commenting on these reports, a Social Democrat and a former political prisoner Mikola Statkevich says that he had underwent the same humiliating treatment in the detention centre in Akrestsin Street after detention for participation in a protest rally on May 1 in Minsk.

Sheiman and Nyavyhlas dismissed 35

14:43, — Politics

Alyaksandr Lukashenka relieved State Secretary of the Security Council Viktar Sheiman and head of his administration Henadz Nyavyhlas of their posts.

Salihorsk Young Front members were demanded explanations on Minsk blast 4

13:28, — Politics

5 Salihorsk opposition activists were called from police and asked to explain where they were on July 4 in the night and whether any of them visited Minsk.

Zmitser Bandarenka: “Terroristic act in Minsk organised by those who killed Zakharanka, Krasouski and Hanchar” 25

13:05, — Politics

Bomb blast in Minsk center, occurred early in the morning of 4 July during a concert dedicated to the official Independence Day, shocked the Belarusian society and made everyone seek for a question to the main question: “Who could do it?” Zmitser Bandarenka, coordinator of Charter’97, one of the leaders of the “European Belarus”, believes these were “the same scoundrels who kidnapped and killed opposition leaders”.

KGB Searches apartment of Nina Shydlouskaya 6

13:02, — Politics

A search is being held in the apartment of one of the leaders of the World Association of Belarusians "Batskaushchyna" (or "Fatherland") Nina Shydlouskaya.

Oppositional politician offered to “have conversation” about Minsk blast 2

11:52, — Politics

Homel coordinator for creation of the public association “Belarusian Christian democracy” Kanstantsin Zhukouski has been served a subpoena to appear in the police department of Tsentralny district of Minsk.

Alyaksandr Klaskouski: Lukashenka and Sheiman are closely bound by some interests, so dismissal is unlikely 11

10:57, — Politics

At the session on the tragic accident in Minsk on 4 July Alyaksandr Lukashenka blamed state secretary of the Security Council Viktar Sheiman and said he couldn’t hold the office after the blast.

“Reporters without Borders” call upon Lukashenka to reject new draft law on mass media 6

10:39, — Freedom of speech

The international organisation “Reporters Without Borders” ahs once again expressed its concern related to adoption of the new law “On Mass Media” in Belarus, which is to be signed into law by Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Opposition activist expelled from university

9:37, — Politics

Rastislau Pankratau, Young Front member, first-year student of Mahilou University named after A. Kulyashou, was invited to the dean’s office, where he was informed about his expulsion.

Vintsuk Vyachorka: “Elections” can now be neither free nor fair 3

8:50, — Politics

One can say with certainty even today that the “elections” for the “house of representatives” do not meet European standards and can be named neither free nor fair, Vintsuk Vyachorka, first deputy head of the Belarusian Popular Front party (BPF), said at a press conference in Minsk.