Artur Finkevich, political prisoner

Rallies on October Square and near St. Joseph’s Church (Photo)

19:42, 16/07/2007 Dozens of people have gathered today at 6 p.m. on October Square in Minsk with portraits of political prisoners. People were forced out of the square by riot policemen in mufti, and protesters went to St. Joseph’s church. However, Minsk dwellers could stand there just for a short while. Riot policemen required people to disband.

Criminal action can be brought up against political prisoner

10:27, 11/07/2007 The head of Mahilyou special commandant’s office, lieutenant colonel Alyaksandr Lamaza reminded Artur Finkevich that he is a malicious violator of discipline, and a criminal action can be brought up against him, and a place of detention can be changed.

Trade Union activist identified persons who hit him with baseball bats

13:14, 09/07/2007 On July 9, on the last day of the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, by majority of votes a resolution on situation in Belarus earlier approved by Committee on Political Affairs and Security of the PA OSCE (the so-called Kyiv Declaration) was passed. The Declaration consists of separate resolutions, which drafts had been approved by relevant PA OSCE committees.

Prison sentence of political prisoner Artur Finkievich is still on

09:43, 04/07/2007 The department of sentence execution declined the complaint of Artur Finkievich against the refusal of his pre-term exoneration. The resolution was grounded on the supposedly inappropriate conduct of Finkievich.

Milinkevich not allowed meeting with Artur Finkevich

13:04, 29/06/2007 Alyaksandr Milinkevich hasn’t had a meeting with a political prisoner, one of the leaders of the Young Front Artur Finkevich. During the attempt to talk to the leader of “For Freedom” movement workers of the special settlement forcibly pushed Artur into a police car and left.

Artur Finkievich can spend 3 years in prison

10:50, 27/06/2007 The administration of Magiliou special commandant’s office has 10 days to define disciplinary punishment for one of the “Malady Front” leaders Artur Finkevich for the incident which has taken place recently.

Young people gathered on square (photo)

12:43, 18/06/2007 Actions dedicated to June 16 have been held in Salihorsk. This time participants of the action demanded to release activists of the Young Front. They were holding portraits of political prisoners Zmitser Dashekvich, candles and letters which formed a slogan “Freedom to Young Front members!”

Artur Finkevich’s free time limited

09:55, 11/06/2007 9 June political prisoner was allowed to spend less than two hours out of the commendant’s headquaters. Yesterday major Uladzimir Mikhailau allowed Artur to leave the guarded territory for an hour and half. Protesting against the arbitrary behavior of the authorities the political prisoner refused such like “ mercy”, the Radio Svaboda informs.

Finkevich Stays in Corrective Labour Facility

12:54, 07/06/2007 On June 4 a political prisoner Artur Finkevich was denied an early release, Nasha Niva informs. The guy was simply asked to sign the results of a commission session held on March 14, 2007. It is said in the document that conditional early release cannot be granted to Artur Finkevich, as he was a malicious violator of discipline.

George Bush: Free world is to put pressure on tyrants

18:25, 05/06/2007 In his remarks at the international conference in Prague dedicated to issues of democracy and security, the US president George Bush said that democratic countries should support those who are fighting for freedom against dictatorial regimes. “The Soviet dissident Andrei Amalrik compared a tyrannical state to a soldier who constantly points a gun at his enemy -- until his arms finally tired and the prisoner escapes. The role of the free world is to put pressure on the arms of the world`s tyrants – and strengthen the prisoners who are trying to speed their collapse. So I meet personally with dissidents and democratic activists from some of the world`s worst dictatorships -- including Belarus, and Burma, and Cuba, and North Korea, Sudan, and Zimbabwe,” the US President said.

Embassy Statement on Release of Political Prisoners

18:15, 01/06/2007 The Embassy of the United States of America in Belarus welcomes the early release from prison of Yekaterina Sadovskaya, Pavel Severinets, and Nikolay Statkevich. At the same time, we repeat our call upon the Belarusian authorities to release remaining political prisoners Dmitriy Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Aleksandr Kozulin, Andrey Klimov, Nikolay Avtukhovich, and Yuriy Leonov.

Relatives of Political Prisoners calling against Belarus Admission to UN Council on Human Rights

10:25, 03/05/2007 Relatives of the Belarusian political prisoners Volga Kazulina and Yulia Kazulina, Viktar Sadousky, Yaugenia Astreika, Valeri Dranchuk, Valyantsina Statkevich, Maria Finkevich forwarded a written appeal to the international public calling against admission of Belarus to the UN Council on Human Rights. That was reported by the press service of Alyaksandr Kazulin.

US Ambassador Assistant Visited Political Prisoner Finkevich

17:31, 27/04/2007 On April 26 Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Minsk Jonathan Moore visited an activist of the youth movement Artur Finkevich, who is serving an imprisonment in Mahilyou.

David Kramer: “Belarusian Government Has Two Paths”

13:35, 25/04/2007 Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs David Kramer has stated a necessity for by Belarusian authorities to make a number of steps aimed at democratization of the situation in the country. Otherwise, David Kramer said, relations between Belarus and the US are “to deteriorate considerably”. “My message [to the Belarusian authorities] has been very clear, which is that the government here can take one of two paths. They can lead to an improvement in relations between Belarus and the United States by taking specific concrete steps. Specifically, releasing all political prisoners, and I mean all political prisoners, and dropping charges against others, including from Young Front; and allow events tomorrow to take place peacefully, and allow regional and national Congresses [of democratic forces] to be held in Belarus without any problems. In absence of those steps I fear that relations could deteriorate. Under Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act Congress passed and President Bush signed, we have additional steps we can take to increase the pressure upon the government. I hope they won’t be necessary. But the ball is in the court of the government of Belarus,” stated David Kramer at a press-conference in Minsk.

Council of Europe to Talk with Belarusian Authorities Only after Release of Political Prisoners

09:57, 18/04/2007 On April 17 in the evening hearings on situation in Belarus in the format of a sub-committee on Belarusian affairs in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe took place in Strasbourg. The head of the Parliamentary Assembly Rene van der Linden, a special Rapporteur on Belarus Andrea Rigoni and other deputies have taken part in the discussion. Members of the subcommittee have come to a conclusion that the best signal for a start of a dialogue would be concrete steps of the Belarusian regime. At least, Rene van der Linden has named this first step as the most desired for the European community.

Solidarity for Freedom (Photo)

15:19, 18/04/2007 On April 16 the Day of Belarusian Solidarity is traditionally marked in Belarus and worldwide. In Minsk public activists organized rallies in solidarity with families of the abducted, with political prisoners, and Belarusians repressed by the regime for their participation in oppositional activities. Streamers with demands to release political prisoners, and portraits of the abducted and candles near them are seen in Minsk streets and in regions on this day.

Young activists demand to release political prisoners (Photo)

11:38, 11/04/2007 In Salihorsk graffiti, stickers, leaflets with demands to the authorities to release political prisoners in Belarus emerge more and more often. Young activists continue dissemination of printed materials dedicated to the fact that people imprisoned for their political believes exist in Belarus.

Head of OSCE Office met Artur Finkevich

10:06, 23/03/2007 23 March Oke Peterson succeeded in his third attempt of visiting Artur Finkevich in Mogilyou prison #43 where the youth leader is serving out his 2 years’ term of imprisonment, the Radio Ratsia reported. A day before administration of the prison closed the prison’s gates when Oke Peterson was approaching the entrance stairs.

Head of OSCE Office is not allowed to see Political Prisoner Artur Finkevich

12:22, 22/03/2007, photo by ByMedia.net 21 March evening administration of the Mogilyou prison #43 where youth leader Artur Finkevich is serving out his 2 years’ term of imprisonment didn’t allow head of the OSCE Minsk Office Oke Peterson to meet him.

Day of Solidarity Marked in Mahilyou, Babrujsk, Polatsk, Salihorsk, Navalukoml, Dzyarzhynsk (Photo)

14:00, 17/03/2007 In many cities of Belarus a traditional Day of Belarusian Solidarity was marked on March 16. People gathered on squares of their cities carrying portrait of political prisoners and lit candles.

Political Prisoner Interrogated in KGB

17:56, 13/03/2007 A young leader Artur Finkevich has been interrogated in the KGB department of Mahilyou region in the framework of a criminal case initiated under Article 193 Part 1 of the Criminal Code (activities on behalf on an unregistered organization). The activist was forced to sign a written undertaking not to reveal information on the case.

Alyaksandr Milinkevich: "16th Day is Reminder about Belarus to the World"

16:08, 16/02/2007 Today the Day of Belarusian Solidarity is celebrated in Belarus and around the world for the 16th time. The leader of the democratic forces Alyaksandr Milinkevich has called upon praying for release of Belarusian political prisoners. “I am enormously thankful to all those who show their solidarity with Belarus on this day. The 16th day of every month has become a landmark for democratic activists in our country and abroad. Today Belarus is a problem number one in Europe, and front pages of many newspapers in Europe cover the situation in our country, and it’s a merit of all those people who are reminding the world that human rights in Belarus are violated, free election is absent, independent press is extinct. As a Christian I call upon all Belarusians and friends of our country to pray for early release of all Belarusian political prisoners, for restoration of democracy in Belarus,” told Alyaksandr Milinkevich in an interview to Charter’97 press-center.

What political prisoners will be included in the amnesty?

11:54, 15/02/2007 Internal Ministry has started to get ready for an amnesty. As the press-service of Alyaksandr Lukashenka confirmed, on February 13 the president ordered Interior Minister Uladzimir Navumau to start groundwork for an amnesty of persons who had committed less serious crimes. Radio Svaboda has been told in the ministry that the work is underway.

Demands of Freedom to Belarusian Political Prisoners Heard in Warsaw (Photo)

10:13, 14/02/2007 An action “Week of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus” continues in Warsaw. About a dozen of Belarusians who live in Warsaw gathered near the building of Belarusian embassy on February 13. They had white –red-white flags, huge portraits of a political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin, and posters “Freedom to political prisoners!”, “Lukashenka’s power is illegal”.

Action in support of Belarusian political prisoners in New York (Photo)

18:13, 23/01/2007 On January 20 Belarusian Youth Movement of America held a picket in support of Belarusian political prisoners in New York. Several dozen representatives from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts took part in the action.

The day of Solidarity: Belarusians Continue Street Actions (Photo)

10:10, 17/01/2007 Hundreds of people on 16 January went into the streets of Minsk and other Belarusian cities and towns to manifest their solidarity with the families of the Belarusian disappeared journalists, political prisoners and those fighting for freedom and democracy in Belarus.100 youth activists lighted the candles of Freedom and Solidarity at the Svislach river embankment .50 people with burning candles and of Freedom and Solidarity and portraits of political prisoners stood in chain at the central railway station. “Freedom to Political Prisoners!” posters were hanged in different places of Minsk and independent newspapers were distributed throughout Belarus. The solidarity actions were held in regional centers of the country as well as in Baranavichi, Babruisk, Zhodzina, Barisau, Saligorsk, Niasvizh and other towns. Thousands of Belarusians lighted candles at their windowsills .In many countries all over the world Belarusian embassies were picketed and the actions of solidarity were taken.

Second Official Warning to Political Prisoner Artur Finkevich

16:56, 11/01/2007 The administration of Mahilyou corrective labour facility of an open time has issued a second official warning to a political prisoner Artur Finkevich. Actions of the director of the corrective labour facility are aimed at depriving the activist of liberty and sending him to a colony, the Young Front believes.

Day of Solidarity Marked in Belarus and All Over the World (Photo)

11:20, 17/12/2006 Thousands of candles were lit all over the world on December 16 as a sign of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners, families of the abducted, the repressed and those who fight for freedom and democracy in Belarus. Hundreds of people gathered in the streets on that day. At 6 p.m. 100 people gathered on Independence Square, dozens of people gathered near the house of the former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin in Nyamiha and lit candles to show solidarity with his family. Candles were lit near the cinema “Kastrychnik”, the National library, the Central railway station and in other districts of Minsk. Streamers with demands to release political prisoners were placed in many parts of the city. The Day of Solidarity was marked in Vitsebsk, Hrodna, Homel, Salihorsk, Barysau, Brest, Mahilyou and other cities of Belarus. Thousands of Belarusians lit candies of Freedom and Solidarity in their windows. In numerous countries of the world Belarusian diplomatic missions where picketed, and solidarity rallies held.

People All Over the World Sign Letters in Support of Belarusian Political Prisoners

12:14, 11/12/2006 On December 10, Human Rights Day, an International Marathon of Letters-Writing was held in Poland and in almost 40 other countries of the world. In its framework people wrote letters in support of prisoners of repressed for peaceful expression of their views. This year Poland citizens have written almost 20,000 letters just within 24-hour marathon. Letters in support of citizens of China, Vietnam, Peru and Belarus have been written.

Authorities Try to Push Against Political Prisoner Artur Finkevich

17:45, 06/12/2006 Yesterday evening workers of Mahilyou corrective facility of open type carried out a personal search of a political activist Artur Finkavcih.

Solidarity with Freedom Fighters (Photo)

10:34, 17/11/2006 An action of solidarity with fighting Belarus was traditionally held on November 16 in many Belarusian cities and abroad. Hundreds of activists gathered in the streets of Minsk, they lit candles of solidarity in different parts of the city. The rallies were held in Vitsebsk, Hrodna, Homel, Salihorsk, Barysau, Brest, Mahilyou and other parts of Belarus. Thousands of Belarusians lit candles of Freedom and Solidarity in the windows of their homes. Citizens of the Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the USA and other countries held rallies too. For more than a year on that day people all over the world are united with Belarus by the memory of the abducted and murdered Belarusian opposition leaders and journalists, political prisoners and freedom fighters.

Picket of Solidarity with Political Prisoners near Government House

13:50, 14/11/2006 Belarusian Social Democrats have tried to hold a picket of solidarity with political prisoners in the center of Minsk. At about midday an activist of the Belarusian Social Democratic party (Hramada) from Barysau Ales Abramovich and a member of the Belarusian Social Democratic Hramada Ales Haurusyou gathered near the Government House on Independence Square with posters “Freedom to Kazulin and other political prisoners,” “Freedom to Dashkevich and Sevyarynets”.

For Freedom of Belarus

10:14, 17/10/2006 On October 16 the Day of Belarusian Solidarity was marked in Belarus and all over the world. Actions of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners, families of the abducted and all those who are fighting for freedom and democracy in Belarus, have been held in Baranavichy, Homel, Salihorsk, Mozyr, Mahilyou, Brest, Babrujsk, Barysau, Maladzechna, Polatsk and other towns of Belarus. Several flash-mobs were staged in Minsk. More than 80 young activists lit candles near the metro station “Pushkinskaya”. A few dozens of people with portraits of political prisoners gathered in Adam Mickievicz park. Dozens of people gathered in Nyamiha metro station holding candles in their hands. Thousands of people have lit candles in their windows.

Youth Activist Artur Finkevich Hospitalized

10:35, 03/10/2006 Young activist Artur Finkevich, who is serving a sentence in a corrective facility in Mahilyou, was hospitalized today to the 1st city hospital of the regional center. The BelaPAN was informed about that by an activist Krystsina Shatsikava.

Finkevich Denied Admission to Hospital

14:42, 27/09/2006 Administration of Mahilyou special settlement denies sending to a hospital to one of the leaders of the Young Front, a political prisoner Artur Finkevich, whose state of health had seriously deteriorated.

Young Activists Hold Rally in Support of Political Prisoners (Photo)

10:35, 22/09/2006 On September 21 on Victory Square in Minsk young activists gathered with portraits of political prisoners and abducted opponents of the regime. About 30 persons were holding portraits of Alyaksandr Kazulin, Andrei Klimau, Mikalay Statkevich, Paval Sevyarynets, Artur Finkevich and other political prisoners, as well as abducted opponents of Lukashenka’s regime Yury Zakharanka, Dzmitry Zavadsky, Viktar Hanchar and Anatol Krasouski.

Belarus will be Free! (Photo)

20:51, 16/09/2006 10,000 Belarusians have taken part in “Big Jeans Festival”, an action of solidarity with political prisoners and families of abducted Belarusian politicians. The Belarusians have reminded the regime that seven years ago, on September 16, 1999 the leaders of Belarusian opposition Viktar Hanchar and Anatol Krasouski. Thousands of participants of the festival are wearing jeans clothes, a symbol of freedom in Belarus. Jeans T-shirts are raised as flags, reminding an event a year ago, when a young leader Mikita Sasim encircled by riot policemen put up a jeans shirt as a flag during the rally dedicated to the disappeared.

Artur Finkevich Banned to Use Computer

12:23, 07/08/2006 Mahilyou human rights activists have found out that the administration of a corrective facility, where the young Activist Artur Finkevich is serving a sentence of forcible labour, had prohibited him to use a laptop. Previously he had been prohibited to use a radio set.

Political Prisoner Artur Finkevich Goes to Canteen Under Police Escort

10:45, 28/07/2006 As the press service of the Young Front has found out, on Independence Day, July 27, Artur Finkevich was held in a hostel all the day and not allowed to go out. When Artur wanted to go to the canteen, he was escorted by two officers, as if he was a dangerous criminal.

Political Prisoner Finkevich Advised to Forget About Independent Press

15:59, 25/07/2006 Workers of Mahilyou corrective facility of open type have carried out two searches of personal things of political prisoner Artur Finkevich last week. As a result, the head of the special commandants’ office strongly encouraged the prisoner to refuse receiving independent press: “Nasha Niva”, “Narodnaya Volya”, a magazine “ARCHE” and informational bulletins of youth organizations.

Solidarity In Fight For Freedom Of Belarus (PHOTO)

10:40, 17/07/2006 Hundreds thousands of people all over the world have marked the Day of Belarusian Solidarity on July 16. Thousands of people have come to Embassies of the Russian Federation in their countries and demanded to bring up the Belarusian issue at the G8 summit held in St. Petersburg at the moment, and to stop support of the Belarusian dictatorship by the Russian leadership. In Minsk 40 Belarusian citizens were arrested in Minsk at the attempt to come near the Russian diplomatic mission, many of them were brutally beaten up. Solidarity rallies were held in many Belarusian cities and abroad. In Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Belgium, the USA, Sweden, the Netherlands, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and many other countries of the world pickets and demonstrations were held near Russian and Belarusian Embassies. The Belarusian citizens were lighting candles in their windows as a sign of solidarity with political prisoners and families of abducted oppositionists.

Political Prisoner Artur Finkevich to Work At Construction Site

13:02, 13/07/2006 The leader of the Young Front Artur Finkevich, who is serving a sentence of two years of restriction of freedom in Mahilyou, was sent for work in the building office number 129 of the open joint-stock company “Lavsan-Stroj”. The young leader is to work as an unskilled worker.

Solidarity With Fighting Belarus

10:51, 19/06/2006 Hundreds thousands of people in Belarus and all over the world for the 9th time have marked the Day of Belarusian Solidarity on June 16. Belarusians lit candles of Freedom and Solidarity with political prisoners, families of political prisoners, with all who fight for freedom and democracy in Belarus. They gathered I the squares of their towns and cities. In Minsk more than 100 persons have come to the Russian Embassy, in order to express protest to Russia’s support to Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s regime. The rally was brutally cracked down on. 45 participants were arrested. Dwellers of Brest, Mahilyou, Maladzechna, Zhodzina, Baranavichy, Vitsebsk, Svetlahorsk and other Belarusian cities came to the streets and lit candles of solidarity. Pickets and demonstrations were held in front of Belarusian and Russian Embassies in Ukraine, Poland, Belgium, Germany and the USA. The information about rallies held all over the world on this day is coming.

Artur Finkevich’s imprisonment to start before June 25

17:25, 15/06/2006 Today “Malady Front” leader Artur Finkevich has visited the penalty executions committee of the Minsk Zavadski district interior department to find out that he must arrive at a Belarusian reformatory of the open type before June 25. The place where Artur Finkevich will serve the sentence hasn’t yet been defined.

Artur Finkevich Goes to Place of Serving Punishment

16:12, 12/06/2006 The leader of the Young Front Artur Finkevich has received a writ with a demand to come to the penal jurisdiction department of Zavodski district of Minsk. On June 15 Finkevich is to be told where he would serve the sentence.

28 Hunger Strikers In Belarus (Photo)

10:36, 02/06/2006 On June 1 in Salihorsk Hleb Sandras and Dzyanis Karnou joined the hunger strike with the demand to stop criminal prosecution of the Young Front Activists and to release all political prisoners. Besides, at the balcony of the apartment where activists continue the hunger strike, a large streamer “Hunger Strike” was placed again.

Artur Finkevich and Pavel Drazdou Taken From Detention Center in Police Cars

14:45, 01/06/2006 Young activists Artur Finkevich and Pavel Drazdou were brought out of the special detention center in Akrestsin Street in police cars. It was done in order not to allow relatives and friends of Finkevich and Drazdou to meet the political prisoners in front of the prison.

Rally On October Square In Support of Political Prisoners

06:25, 29/05/2006 On May 26 a rally in support of political prisoners was held on October Square in Minsk. Young Front activists have taken part in the rally.

Young Front Leaders Imprisoned

16:12, 18/05/2006, photo by mfront.net Leaders of the Young Front Artur Finkevich and Zmitser Dashkevich are sentenced to 15 days of arrest by the court of Maskouski district of Minsk. Riot policemen seized them yesterday by the court of Maskouski district of Minsk. A case of oppositionist Yury Radzivil was tried there. The oppositionists have spent the night in the special detention center in Akrestsin Street. The young activists were charted with violation of the Article 156 of the Administrative Code (petty hooliganism) without any legal grounds for that. Riot policemen were witnesses in the court. They said that the young activists have allegedly used foul language. The politically motivated verdict has been passed by judge Syarhei Nikalaeu. Riot policemen Dzimtry Labkou was a witnessed against Artur Finkevich.

Trials Over Youth Activists

10:21, 18/05/2006 Today in the court of Maskouski district of Minsk trials over youth activists Zmitser Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Alyaksei Straltsou and Krystsina Shatsikava are to take place. Activists were detained yesterday by the court of Maskouski district of Minsk unfoundedly. Young people have come to support oppositionists Yury Radzivil and Yury Bachyshche, whose cases were tried in the court of Maskouski district. Zmitser Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Alyaksei Straltsou and Krystsina Shatsikava have spent the night in the special detention center in Akrestsin Street.

Riot Policemen Disbanded Rally By Russian Embassy In Minsk (Photo)

21:27, 16/05/2006 Special task police regiment (former SWAT) has disbanded a rally of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners, repressed politicians and families of abducted politicians held near the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Minsk. About a hundred of people have come to the Embassy of Russia with candles, to demonstrate protest against Russia’s support of the Belarusian dictatorship. According to the participants of the rally, Russia could demand Lukashenka stop repressions against its political opponents and civil society representatives. During the dispersal of the peaceful rally about two dozens of people were detained. According to the preliminary information, they were placed to the police department of Tsentralny district of Minsk.

Artur Finkevich Sentenced to Two Years of Corrective Work

15:25, 10/05/2006 The youth leader Artur Finkevich has been sentenced to two years of restriction of freedom (so-called corrective works) by the court of Pershamajski district. Artur Finkevich was found guilty for violation of the Article 339 Part 2 of the Criminal Code (malicious hooliganism) for making graffiti “We want a new one!” “I do not agree with the verdict, but I do not find it necessary to challenge it, considering huge terms of imprisonment I had been facing. I think that the regime has confined itself to corrective works as they have fear. They understand that the situation in Belarus is changing irreversibly,” Artur Finkevich said to the Charter’97 press-center after the verdict was passed.

Belarusians Demand to Release Political Prisoners (Photo)

14:32, 10/05/2006 In the cities of Belarus struggle for release of political prisoners continues. Streamers “Freedom to political prisoners!”, “Freedom to Kazulin!”, “Freedom to Dashkevich!”, “Freedom to Finkevich!” and leaflets with a demand to release prisoners of conscience were put up in the center of Salihorsk. The Young Front has become the organizers of the rally.