Political prisoner Yury Lyavonau freed (Updated)

The entrepreneur from Vaukavysk was released from the4 Minsk pre-trial detention center on August 8. Political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich and Uladzimir Asipenka are still in jail.

Daughter of the entrepreneur told the website www.charter97.org about the release of Yury Lyavonau.

“My father came home yesterday. We couldn’t believe it. An intercom rang, we took a receiver and heard his voice. He said as he came: “I returned home, I am released.” He doesn’t say why he was released so far. I think he will tell it to journalist in a day or two. I am sure he has a lot to tell,” the political prisoner’s daughter told www.charter97.org.

Nothing is known about the fate of entrepreneurs Mikalai Autukhovich and Uladzimir Asipenka, arrested together with Yury Lyavonau. The both are still in pre-trial detention center #1 of the main militia department of the Minsk city executive committee.

Yury Lyavonau may be released on his own recognizance, lawyer Vadzim Mushynski told BelaPAN.

According to the lawyer, another term of detention in custody expired in August 8. In accordance with the law, the term could be either prolonged or Lyavonau could be released from the pre-trial detention facility.

“I made a motion to the deputy prosecutor general asking to change a measure of restraint to Lyavonau from custody to release on his own recognizance. This motion seems to have been satisfied,” Mushynski said. The lawyer supposes that Lyavonau gave a written pledge not to disclose a secret of investigation. “All lawyers gave the pledge, and Lyavonau has probably done the same. But I can’t be 100 per cent certain, I haven’t seen him yet. His daughter phoned me and told about Lyavonau’s release,” Mushynski said.

Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka were detained in February 8. On February 18, the entrepreneurs were charged under article 218 of the Criminal Code (intentional damage to or destruction of property of citizens). On June 23, a criminal case under article 359 of the Criminal Code (a terroristic act) in the form of preparation (article 13) was instigated against Autukhovich and “the repressions”, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported. The detained are in pre-trial detention center #1 in Minsk.

Mikalai Autukhovich held a three-month hunger strike from April 16 to July 16 demanding to send his case to court as soon as possible or to change a measure of restraint to all detained from custody to release on own recognizance.

Human rights activists consider the detained to be political prisoners drawing attention to the fact that Autukhovich and Lyavonau were convicted before and recognized prisoners of conscience by the international community.