Protest against “political” recruitment and arrests of entrepreneurs in Salihorsk (Photo)

Participants of a rally of solidarity in Salihorsk demanded the authorities to recognize Ivan Shyla, Franak Vyachorka, and Zmitser Khvedaruk “prisoners of conscience”.

A peculiar feature of the action of solidarity in Salihorsk was that young people, who came to the central square, were holding portraits of the person, who has participated in actions of solidarity last year – Ivan Shyla.

Leader of the Salihorsk youth, deputy head of the “Young Front” Ivan Shyla was forcefully drafted into army in violation of Belarusian laws in late January. The same happened to “Young Front” member Zmitser Khvedaruk and head of “The Youth of the BPF” Franak Vyachorka.

They participants of the rally in Salihorsk called on the authorities to recognize Shyla, Khvedaruk, and Vyachorka “prisoners of conscience”. They also expressed protest against arrest of leaders of entrepreneurs.

It should b reminded that on February 8, leaders of entrepreneurs were taken to Minsk to a detention facility in Akrestsin Street. According to the official version, the arrested entrepreneurs are suspected of the arsons of a house of former head of the Vaukavysk militia department and a garage of officer of the tax inspection. On that day 26, searches of apartments and offices, belonged to entrepreneurs who knew Mikalai Autukhovich, were conducted in Vaukavysk.

Participants of the action of solidarity in Salihorsk also urged to release “Young Front” activist Artsyom Dubski.

It should be reminded that youth activists Artsyom Dubskiwas arrested on February 13, when he was returning from Ukraine to Minsk to take part in the unauthorized rally “Day of Love”.

Artsyom Dubski has been living in Ukraine because a criminal case against him was instigated in Belarus. The second criminal case under article 415 of the Criminal Code of Belarus was instigated against Dubski in October 2008 for violation of procedure of serving punishment, he was sentenced to for participation in a protest of entrepreneurs.

The Case of 14 is a criminal case under article 342 of the Criminal Code of Belarus, instigated against participants of the peaceful protest rally of entrepreneurs, held in Minsk on January 10, 2008.