Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said today he is against severance of all relations with Belarus, but he would support sanctions against the country´s political representatives, such as restricting their opportunities to travel abroad.

21:35 Minsk bar association refused to punish its colleagues

Minsk bar association has refused to punish its colleagues despite of the accusations of the Justice Ministry.

21:33 Ivan Kulikou arrested

Ivan Kulikou is now being interrogated by an investigator. He was nominated as a presidential candidate, registered his initiative group in the Central Election Commission, however he withdrew from the presidential race at the stage of signatures’ collection.

21:18 Estonia Supports Civil Society of Belarus

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the European Union, including Estonia, has been considering its further steps regarding Belarus in light of the presidential elections that took place there and the violent events that followed.

17:17 Mikola Statkevich’s hunger strike started 29 days ago

Mikola Statkevich, a presidential candidate, was detained during the protest rally after the presidential election on December 19, 2010.

16:34 Ukraine And Belarus Arrange Transit Of 4 Million Tons Of Oil A Year Via Odesa - Brody Pipeline Until 2013

Ukrtransnafta and the Belarusian Oil Company (BNK) have arranged provision of services for transmission of 4 million tons of oil a year via the Odesa - Brody pipeline until 2013.

16:16 Volha Nyaklyaeva received first letter from her husband

Today Volha Nyaklyaeva has received the first letter from Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu. It was sent from the pre-trial detention centre of the KGB on January 12.

15:57 KGB tries to force entry into “Viasna” office

As charter97.org was informed by the press-secretary of the human rights centre “Viasna” Tastyana Ravyaka, KGB officers are trying to force entry into the human rights centre’s office.

15:39 Reporters without Borders nominated Natallya Radzina for Netizen Prize-2011

Starting from 2008 the award is given to journalists who are fighting for freedom of expression on the web.

15:18 Nyaklyaeu cut from film about Mulyavin (video)

Belarusian censors have not demonstrated the footage with the poet in the Russian film about the founder of the famous band Pesnyary.

15:05 Poland banned entry for hundreds of Belarusian officials

Poland has prepared visa sanctions against Lukashenka and several hundreds of the regime’s representatives.

12:42 Belarus Cut Oil Imports by 33%

Belarus reduced oil imports to 13.2 million tons during January-November 2010, which is 33% less in comparison with January-November 2009. The average price of imported oil increased by 37.4% - to $447 per ton. In particular, 1.6 million tons of Venezuelan oil with the average price of $639 per ton were imported in May and November.

12:35 Borodin’s spokesperson to remind dictator about political prisoners’ 3-year-old son

The spokesperson of Pavel Borodin is to remind about the 3-year-old son of political prisoners at Lukashenka’s inauguration.

IPI / SEEMO Call On Belarus to Free Journalists.

11:08 Coronation day set for January 21

It has been stated by the Secretary of the puppet Central Election Commission Mikalai Lazavik.

5:08 Freedom to political prisoners!

Rallies of solidarity with the demand to release prisoners of the KGB jail were held all over the world on January 16. despite of raids, arrests, interrogations and intimidation by the KGB, pro-democracy activists demanded the dictator immediate release of the nation’s leaders and of the people who are fighting for freedom and independence of their country.

5:02 Charter97.org continues its work

On January 16 the rental period of server finished, and the hosting company switched off the website for nonpayment. Thank you all who offered help and helped us to keep the website. The problems for the next few months have been saved. We shall use our best efforts for the website to continue its trouble-free operation.