Viasna: Sanctions must be imposed against dictatorship

Human rights activists deplore the fact that the Lithuanian state bodies have relation to opening a criminal case against Ales Byalyatski.

Viasna human rights centre, which head Ales Byalyatski was arrested yesterday by the Financial Investigation Department of the Belarusian State Control Committee, released a statement.

On August 4, head of Viasna human rights centre and Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Ales Byalyatski was detained in connection with a criminal case under part 2 of article 243 of the Criminal Code of Belarus “concealment of incomes on an especially large scale”. The article, under which Ales Byalyatski is accused, carried a punishment of up to seven years in prison and confiscation of property.

The flat and summer house of the human rights activist and Viasna’s office were searched.

Viasna human rights centre regards the criminal case against Ales Byalayatski as reprisal and revenge for his years long human rights activity and a desire to destroy Viasna human rights centre and intimidate the whole human rights movement in Belarus.

Viasna human rights centre:

Demands the immediate release of Ales Byalyatski and closing the criminal case against him.

Declares an intention to continue its activity, because the organization is people united by belief in the importance of their mission of defence of human rights and liberties in Belarus.

Deplores the fact that the state bodies of the Republic of Lithuania created favourable conditions for opening a criminal case against Ales Byalyatski.

Calls on the international community to apply all means possible for political and legal pressure on the Belarusian government with the aim to release Ales Byalyarski and all political prisoners.

Viasna human rights centre states that the repressive measures of the Belarusian authorities lead to further isolation of the country and endanger Belarus with possible economic sanctions, which is the guilt only of the government.

Human rights activists thank all their fellow human rights advocates, public activists, journalists, all citizens of Belarus and other countries who support Byalyatski and the organization.