17:43 Competitors of pro-regime candidates pressed by KGB

A potential candidate to deputy in Shklou constituency No. 90, an activist of the movement “For Freedom” Ryhor Kastusyou has informed that though the election district commission wasn’t interfering him, there was pressure by law-enforcing agencies on him.

16:40 No democratization expected while freedom is destroyed

“We cannot expect any major moves towards democratization until the policy of the regime towards mass media won’t be changed,” said the chairperson of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Zhana Litvina during the meeting with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs David Merkel.

15:35 Central Election Commission creates conditions for falsification

Most of the polling station election commissions are consisted of officers of the same organisation. Chiefs of these organisations head the commissions.

15:19 Andrei Sannikov: “Recognition of the regime in its present form would worsen situation in Belarus”

Today Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs David A. Merkel, who is on a visit in Belarus, has met with representatives of democratic political parties, civil society and former political prisoners.

14:57 Alyaksandr Mekh: “This trial is example of cynicism and treachery of the authorities”

Judge of the Kobryn district Alyaksandr Babaskin passed a decision today to dismiss all counts of the suit filed by Alyaksandr Mekh, member of the Belarusian Popular front party.

13:44 Militia actions appealed against: Illya Bohdan spent 26 hour without food and water in militia department

Lawyer of the Young Front activist Illya Bohdan will appeal against unlawful actions of militia during detention of the oppositionist on a suspicion of implication in 4 July blast.

13:00 Helsinki Committee: Repressive “politically motivated” article still exist

There are still citizens repressed on political grounds, and an article of the Criminal Code envisaging imprisonment for “activities on behalf of an unregistered organisation” continues to exist.

12:13 Opposition activist said she was humiliated in jail

Opposition activist from Brest Zhanna Abramava sent a complaint to the prosecutor of the Leninski district of Brest against living conditions in the temporary detention center of the Leninski district militia department.

12:08 Belarusian regime place stakes on Iran

On August 22 during the meeting with Iranian Ambassador Abdolhamid Fekri, the chairman of the “chamber of representatives” Vadzim Papou noted that Belarus and Iran have created a rather good contractual basis.

11:48 Composition of polling station commissions unknown both for voters and district election commission

The authorities hide composition of polling station commissions. It is known that only 47 representatives of democratic parties and organisations in the country were included into commissions.

11:37 Participant of action of solidarity with Georgia at large (Photo)

Young Front activist Lyudmila Atakulava was released from the jail on Akrestin Street in Minsk on 21 August.

11:31 CIS observers impossible to find: what do they observe?

Hrodna observers and journalists have been trying to find out whereabouts of CIS observers, who came to the region center, campaign “Human Rights Activists for Free Election” reports.

11:26 Attempts to get information treat as “destabilization of situation”

“Hantsavichski chas” newspaper hasn’t been given information about the results of forming precinct commissions for election of deputies of the “chamber of representatives’” deputies.

10:33 Banners “Boycott” destroy by authorities’ order (Photo)

The authorities are nervous, because posters, banners and stickers calling to boycott the “parliamentary election” appear in Minsk and other Belarusian cities every day.

10:23 US Department of State representative to meet with Belarusian democrats

Today Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs David A. Merkel, who is on a visit in Belarus, is to meet with representatives of democratic political parties, civil society and former political prisoners. The visit of the diplomat to Belarus is connected to release of political prisoners Alyaksandr Kazulin, Syarhei Parsyukevich and Andrei Kim.

10:09 Searches for “Boycott” stickers on prosecutor’s sanctions

Apartment of Young Front activist Vadzim Barouski’s parents in Dzyatlava was searched. As a signed y v a prosecutor warrant said the search was conducted on the ground of appearing of “Boycott 2008” stickers in the city.

9:11 Anton Koipish is to pay 3.5 mln fine today

The pressure on the convicted in the Process of Fourteen continues. A member of the Belarusian Popular Front party, one of the heads of the electoral campaign headquarters of the candidate Vintsuk Vyachorka, fined in the Process of Fourteen, Anton Koipish, has received a letter from the court. It is said there that he is to pay a fine of 3.5 mln rubles before August 22.

9:08 Candidate for deputy detained personally by head of criminal investigation office

On the last day of registration of candidates for deputies in Lepel a member of the organising committee for creation of the Belarusian Christian Democratic party Alyaksei Aleksandrovich was detained.

8:49 Lyabedzka: “It’s early to say we have no political prisoners”

It is often said now that there remain no political prisoners in Belarus. Leader of United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka believes it’s not true.

8:25 State-run media intentionally hide jobs of precinct election commissions’ members

As an observer of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee has found out, precinct commissions in Baranavichy were mostly formed through nomination by labour collectives and collection of signatures.