20th day of political prisoner Autukhovich’s hunger strike. 6th day of protest

An action of solidarity with political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich, who went on indefinite hunger strike, has been held today on October square of Minsk.

At 6.00 p.m., dozens of activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” and “Young Front” have come to the square for the sixth day. The oppositionists were holding portraits of political prisoners Mikalai Autukhovich and Uladzimir Asipenka, unfurled a national white-red-white flag and an EU one.

The participants of the action were shouting “Freedom to Political Prisoners!” and “Long Live Belarus!” dozens of riot militiamen in uniform and in mufti were watching the events, filming the action. Riot militiamen also stood on the square near the road.

Leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka, youth leaders and activists of “European Belarus” Zmitser Barodka, Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, Maksim Vinyarski, participant of the Process of 14 Maksim Dashuk and others took part in the picket.

Thought a hockey quarter-final match Russia–Belarus of the world cup is taking place at this time, the play wasn’t shown on the square, where all important matches are broadcasted. The authorities were possibly afraid too many people could gather on the square.

It should be reminded rallies of solidarity with political prisoners are held in Minsk every day. Belarusians come to the streets expressing their solidarity with political prisoners. One of the political prisoners, Mikalai Autukhovich, continues an indefinite hunger strike which poses a serious threat to his life.

Mikalai Autukhovich has been on hunger strike for the 20th day, rallies of solidarity with him have been held for the sixth day.

At the end of the rally youth activists called on Belarusians to come to October square of Minsk at 6.00 p.m. on May 7.

“We adopted an address to the international society at a special presidium of the United Democratic Forces. We appeal to those who have direct contacts with the Belarusian authorities, who are proud of having a dialogue with Lukashenka. If Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg or EU High Representative Javier Solana have access to Belarusian high-ranking officials, let them address Lukashenka in order he to release political prisoners. In this case, we can say the dialogue has some sense. Now the case is in danger to people’s lives. We are OK, even those who stand in this human chain. We are at large, we can breathe. But Mikalai Autukhovich is on the 20th day of hunger strike. This is his last instrument of struggle. If people go to square, they have the heart that beats in Belarus’s breast,” UCP leader Anatol Lyabedzka told in an interview to the Charter’97 press center.

Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus”, believes the rallies of solidarity will lead to release of political prisoners.

“Mikalai Autukhovich has been on hunger strike for 20 days. Any person, not necessarily politically active, a common person who can be sympathetic and express solidarity, must be here. I want to draw attention of the authorities and common citizens to this problem. Unfortunately, I don’t know Autukhovich closely, I’ve seen him a couple of times, but I know he is a man of honour and a man of his word. There must be more such people in our country. Taking into account physical state of Mikalai Autukhovich, his life is in danger. So, I must everything possible to attract attention to this situation and gain the release of the political prisoner. We all remember that political prisoners were released last year due to our rallies of solidarity. Every release is a victory of our solidarity. I am sure this happens this time, too,” the youth leader said.