17:50 One more “European Belarus” activist in jail on Akrestin Street

Paval Yukhnevich, activist of the “European Belarus” civil campaign, is serving his 7-day arrest in the jail on Akrestin Street in Minsk since today.

17:10 Oppositionist taken to mental hospital due to his refusal to collaborate with KGB

Activist of the youth organisation “Civil Forum” Artsyom Zabaryn was taken to the Minsk mental hospital for examination after he had refused to answer questions of the KGB offices.

15:07 White-red-white flags above Budslau (Photo)

A fest of worship of wonderworking icon of Our Lady of Budslau takes place in Budslau on 1-2 July. About 30 thousands believers from Belarus as well as pilgrims from Poland, Lithuania and Russia take part in the fest. About a hundred of Belarusian clergymen have come to Budslau. National Belarusian flags were waving at the fest.

14:49 Pickets of solidarity with political prisoner Kazulin banned in Minsk

The Minsk local authorities forbade holding of pickets of solidarity with political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin, former presidential candidate.

11:37 PACE can’t accept Belarus in Council of Europe due to Law on Media

The situation with freedom of mass media in Belarus is getting worse. Andrew McIntosh, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly rapporteur on media freedom, told in an interview to BelaPAN. The Belarusian authorities may abandon all hopes for acceptation in the Council of Europe.

9:45 Repressions against the youth continued by “mopping ups” in universities

Activist of the youth democratic movement Katsyaryna Manchuk thinks the reason of her expulsion from Mazyr State University was political activity.

9:18 Russian gas prices can increase in third quarter of 2008

Russian gas prices have risen significantly, taking into account recent statement of new Gazprom CEO Viktor Zubkov, it is quiet possible that they will also increase for Belarus in the third quarter of the year. It seems that the Belarusian government thinks the discussion on prices for the second quarter will distract attention from the prices for the third quarter.