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Amnesty International has welcomed the release of the Belarusian opposition activist and musician Igor Koktysh, who has been held in a pre-trial detention centre in Ukraine for two and a half years.

Igor Koktysh had been detained in Ukraine since June 2007 when Belarus requested his extradition over an accusation that he committed murder in Belarus in January 2001, an offence he had been acquitted of in 2002. He was released on Monday.

Amnesty International believes that he was charged by the Belarusian authorities because of his social and political activism. Before his release, the organization considered Igor Koktysh to be a prisoner of conscience.

Speaking from his home in Ukraine on Thursday, Igor Koktysh thanked Amnesty International "for the efforts you have taken". He said that he is still adjusting to his freedom and that his first concern is his health.

Igor Koktysh’s release follows a European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruling in his favour on 10 December 2009. He had filed a complaint with the Court in October 2007.

The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office initially stated that he would be released only after the judgment of the ECtHR became final in March 2010, but he was released on 2 February.

In its judgement the ECtHR said that Igor Koktysh should not be extradited to Belarus, where he would have been at serious risk of torture or other ill-treatment and could have been given an unfair trial and sentenced to death.

The Court said that there was no legal basis to detain him obliging Ukraine to release him immediately and also stated that the conditions in which he was held in Ukraine amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment.

Igor Koktysh is accused of "premeditated, aggravated murder" of a close friend’s relative in January 2001, under Article 139 of the Criminal Code of Belarus, which carries the death penalty.

Igor Koktysh was held in detention in Belarus from January 2001 until his trial that December. While in custody he was allegedly tortured and ill-treated. This included being beaten and locked naked in a freezing cell, as well as being deprived of necessary medication for his asthma, in order to force him to confess.

Igor Koktysh told Amnesty International that during his detention in Belarus the head investigator of Brest district told him that he knew he was not guilty of the crime, but that he was under pressure from his superiors. The investigator refused to repeat these words in court.

Able to prove that he was in another city when the murder took place, he was acquitted and released. This verdict was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Belarus on 1 February 2002.

After his release, Igor Koktysh moved to Ukraine where he registered to live and work and met his future wife. In April 2002, the Belarusian Prosecutor General appealed against his acquittal and the case was returned to the lower court for a retrial.

Igor Koktysh is currently pursuing his application for refugee status in Ukraine. Amnesty International said it will continue to monitor the progress of his asylum application and the payment of compensation ordered by the European Court of Human Rights.

Amnesty International has called on the Belarusian authorities to release a conscientious objector, found guilty by the Minsk District Court of "draft evasion" and sentenced to three months in prison on Monday.

Ivan Mikhailau had refused military service because bearing arms contradicts his religious beliefs as an active member of the Messianic Jewish community. He was arrested in the town of Salihorsk, south of the capital, Minsk, on 15 December 2009.

Amnesty International considers Ivan Mikhailau to be a prisoner of conscience, detained for the peaceful expression of his beliefs.

Ivan Mikhailau’s lawyer told Amnesty International that his family intends to appeal against the verdict. His detention since 15 December counts towards his three-month sentence. He remains in the pre-trial detention centre in Zhodino – a town about 50km north east of Minsk – where he has been held since shortly after his arrest.

Military service is compulsory in Belarus for all males between the ages of 18 and 27. Even though the Belarusian Constitution states that citizens have a right to alternative civilian service, no such option is provided for in practice.

The right to refuse military service for reasons of conscience is inherent in the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as laid down in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Belarus is a party.

According to his lawyer, after being summoned to military service in December 2008 Ivan Mikhailau told the Minsk district military that he was unable to carry out military service for religious reasons. Instead he requested to take part in civilian service as an alternative to military service.

In January 2009 the authorities denied his request on the grounds that an alternative civilian service does not exist. Ivan Mikhailau approached the military authorities a second time asking if he could substitute military service with service in the reserves. In June 2009 his request was again denied and the authorities then assigned Ivan Mikhailau to full-time military service.

Amnesty International is calling on the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ivan Mikhailau. Furthermore, the organization urges the authorities to ensure that Ivan Mikhailau and other conscientious objectors are either absolved from military service or permitted to wait until an alternative service is in place.

The organization urges the authorities to adopt a law that provides for a genuine civilian alternative to military service and recalls that Belarus is a state party to the ICCPR, and therefore obliged to recognize the right to conscientious objection.

On 3 November 2006, the Human Rights Committee ruled that the prosecution and conviction of two conscientious objectors by the Republic of Korea for their refusal to perform compulsory military service had breached Article 18 of the ICCPR as no civilian alternative was available.

Amnesty International has urged the Ukrainian authorities to comply with a European Court of Human Rights ruling calling for the release of Belarusian opposition activist and musician Igor Koktysh.br /
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Igor Koktysh has been detained in Ukraine since June 2007, when Belarus requested his extradition over an accusation that he committed murder in Belarus in January 2001. br /
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Amnesty International believes that the charges were fabricated due to his social and political activism. The organization considers Igor Koktysh to be a prisoner of conscience.br /
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In October 2007, Igor Koktysh filed a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights to challenge his threatened extradition to Belarus and his detention in Ukraine, pending extradition.br /
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In its judgment on 10 December, the Court ruled in his favour on both counts.br /
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The judgment stated that the extradition of Igor Koktysh to Belarus would violate the prohibition of torture as he would be at serious risk of torture or ill-treatment if extradited to Belarus.br /
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The Court said that he could also face capital punishment together with the prospect of an unfair trial in Belarus.br /
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According to the Court, the detention of Igor Koktysh constitutes a violation of the right to liberty in several regards. The Court stated that there is no legal basis for Igor Koktysh’s detention in Ukraine and that he has been denied the possibility to challenge the lawfulness of his detention.br /
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The prison conditions in which Igor Koktysh has been – and still is – detained were found to amount to ill-treatment in the opinion of the European Court of Human Rights.br /
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In line with the judgment by the European Court of Human Rights, Amnesty International has called on the Ukrainian authorities to release Igor Koktysh immediately and unconditionally and to ensure that he receives full compensation in accordance with the Courtrsquo;s judgment. br /
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The organization also called on the authorities to ensure that Igor Koktysh is provided with effective and durable protection against return to any country, including Belarus, where he would be at risk of the death penalty, torture or other grave human rights violations.br /
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Igor Koktysh is charged with the quot;premeditated, aggravated murderquot; of a close friend’s relative, under Article 139 of the Criminal Code of Belarus, which carries the death penalty.br /
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Igor Koktysh was held in detention in Belarus from January 2001 until his trial that December. While in custody he was allegedly tortured and ill-treated. This included being beaten and locked naked in a freezing cell, as well as being deprived of necessary medication for his asthma, in order to force him to confess.br /
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Igor Koktysh told Amnesty International that during his detention in Belarus the head investigator of Brest district told him that he knew he was not guilty of the crime, but that he was under pressure from his superiors. The investigator refused to repeat these words in court.br /
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Able to prove that he was in another city when the murder took place, he was acquitted and released. This verdict was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Belarus on 1 February 2002.br /
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After his release, Igor Koktysh moved to Ukraine where he registered to live and work and met his future wife. In April 2002, the Belarusian Prosecutor General appealed against his acquittal and the case was returned to the lower court for a retrial.br /
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Belarus’s request for his extradition followed and Igor Koktysh was detained by the Ukraine authorities on 25 June 2007.

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img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-4way.jpg title=Activists alt=Activists height=364 width=510 class=asset-align-none/emnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Tatyana Tishkevich, /ememAles Charnyshou/emem, Mikhail Kryvau and /ememAlyaksei Bondarnbsp;nbsp;nbsp; copy; Private/embr /
div class=asset-asset_bonus-mp3player asset-align-none div id=mp3player-4062 class=asset-swfobjectAudio placeholder/div/div strongAudio: Activist Ales Straltsou/strong strongdescribes living under /strongstrong’restricted freedom’/strongbr /
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Belarusian youth activists sentenced to ‘restricted freedom’ for attending a peaceful protest have told Amnesty International how they were targeted by the authorities, with police seeking to control almost every aspect of their daily lives.br /
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Seven activists were effectively placed under house arrest when they received sentences of up to two years for taking part in a peaceful rally supporting small businesses in Minsk in January 2008. br /
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Five of the activists – Tatyana Tishkevich, Alyaksei Bondar, Mikhail Kryvau, Ales Straltsou and Ales Charnyshou – have spoken to Amnesty International, describing how they were forbidden from socialising, visiting family and taking part in cultural or leisure activities.br /
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The terms of ‘restricted freedom’ were so severe that three of the activists escaped Belarus, fleeing to Russia, Poland and Ireland respectively.br /
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quot;I would have to stay in my apartment at all times, except the eight hours when I was at work,quot; Mikhail Kryvau wrote in a blog for Amnesty International. quot;If the police called my home landline and I was one minute late, I’d get an official warning. If I got three such warnings, I’d be [sent to jail].quot;br /
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The activists were arrested after protesting against a presidential decree on tax and employment regulations for small businesses. In his blog, Mikhail Kryvau tells how he was beaten before being sentenced to 15 days’ detention.br /
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quot;We were lying on the floor with our faces down as the police were fiercely hitting us with their iron-covered boots and gloves. We asked the officers to stop but they wouldnrsquo;t. It was a shattering experience,quot; he describes.
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Tatyana Tishkevich fled to Poland after being expelled from university for her political activities.br /
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quot;[Leaving Belarus] was a difficult choice,quot; she says. quot;For a long time I suffered from depression, knowing I wouldnrsquo;t be seeing my family and friends. One of the teachers [in Poland] asked me how things were in Belarus hellip; to which I could say nothing. And I couldnrsquo;t hold back my tears.quot;
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/tatyana-tishkevich-20091127br /
/aAlyaksei Bondar fled to Moscow more than a year ago to escape persecution. He told Amnesty International: quot;Since I am on a wanted list, I have to live and work illegally. br /
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quot;It is not very pleasant to live, knowing that any day my life can change dramatically and I will find myself behind bars for a ‘crime’ such as the peaceful expression of my opinion.quot; br /
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If the activists return to Belarus, they will face up to three years in prison for evading their sentence. Ales Charnyshou remained in the country and endured the restrictions set by police.
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quot;I was forced to be at home every day after 8pm and on all weekends and public holidays; the officers had the right to check my presence at home or work at any time,quot; he says. quot;For the slightest infringement, such as meeting with friends over a beer, a formal warning was issued.quot; a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/ales-charnyshou-20091127br /
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Ales Straltsou, who also stayed in Belarus until he was amnestied in November 2009, told Amnesty International: quot;It’s like prison, it’s the same feeling. You cannot go out at all. Instead of sitting in a cell, you sit in your flat.quot;br /
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Thousands of people took to the streets in Minsk on 10 January 2008 to protest against President Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s constraints on entrepreneurial activities. br /
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Initially, 14 people were convicted for quot;taking part in or organizing actions that gravely disturb public orderquot;. Seven were subsequently pardoned under amnesties but the sentences for the remaining seven remain in force.br /
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Although a ‘restricted freedom’ sentence is imposed by a judge, specific terms can be set by the police officer in charge of the case. This often results in details being changed arbitrarily, making it difficult for the convicted person to comply.br /
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In June 2009, one of the seven activists, Maxim Dashuk – who was 16 years old when he was convicted – had his sentence increased by 15 months after a police officer was unable to find him at home on several occasions. br /
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The following month, fellow activist Artsyom Dubski was sentenced to one year in prison after the police officer in charge of his case told the prosecutor he had violated the conditions of his sentence. br /
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quot;’Restricted freedom’ is a form of imprisonment and the convictions against these seven activists violate their rights to freedom of assembly and expression,quot; says Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Director Nicola Duckworth. br /
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quot;The Belarusian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Artsyom Dubski, lift all the restrictions placed on the other six activists, and the three who have fled must be allowed to return without risk of any further charges being brought against them.quot;
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/mikhail-kryvau-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-kryvau-thumb2.jpg title=fr alt=fr height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//aReadnbsp;a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/mikhail-kryvau-20091127Mikhail Kryvau/a’s blog
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/tatyana-tishkevich-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-tatyana-thumb.jpg title=Tatyana Tishkevich alt=Tatyana Tishkevich height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//aRead a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/tatyana-tishkevich-20091127Tatyana Tishkevich/a’s blog
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/ales-charnyshou-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-charnyshau-thumb.jpg title=Ales Charnyshou alt=Ales Charnyshou height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//a Read a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/ales-charnyshou-20091127Ales Charnyshou/a’s blog
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/alyaksei-bondar-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-bondarthumb.jpg title=Alyaksei Bondar alt=Alyaksei Bondar height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//a Read a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/alyaksei-bondar-20091127Alyaksei Bondar/a’s blog
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a href=http://livewire.amnesty.org/2009/11/27/belarusian-youth-activists-speak-out/Belarusian activists speak out /a(Livewire Blog – Discussion) br /
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/call-belarusian-president-free-youth-activistsimg src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/AI/action-button-en.gif title=Take Action alt=Take Action height=73 width=114 class=asset-align-right//aa href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/call-belarusian-president-free-youth-activistsCall on Belarusian President to free youth activists/a
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img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-tatyana-300×200.jpg title=Tatyana Tishkevich alt=Tatyana Tishkevich height=300 width=250 class=asset-align-right/emBlog written for Amnesty International by Belarusian youth activist Tatyana Tishkevich, who was sentenced to two years of ‘restricted freedom’ on 22 April 2008./embr /
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I was in my second year of studying equestrian sports in the University of Sport and I was also working with horses. br /
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I was also taking part in – and organising – various activism work, such as demonstrations, performances, human rights seminars, distributing material, training of activists and collecting signatures. br /
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I was detained many times, although not once was I beaten by the police.br /
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Then, I was expelled from university. It was through the internet I learned that I, along with 13 other young activists, had been accused of committing a criminal offence. br /
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It was for participating in a peaceful entrepreneurs’ protest march which went along the road and stopped the traffic. Prime Minister Sidorsky had refused to meet with business representatives to discuss their demands; so people were just waiting outside the parliament building. br /
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I and the 13 others received a summons forbidding us to leave the city. After that, we were all sentenced. The majority, including me, were sentenced to lsquo;restricted freedomrsquo; for two years. That meant complete control and prohibition of practically everything for me. br /
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At the time, I was working as a secretary at the Belarusian Society for the Preservation of Historical and Cultural Monuments. br /
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I had to constantly register at the police stations. The police could arrive at my home at any time with a search warrant and they placed restrictions on all aspects of my life. I couldnrsquo;t carry on with my equestrian training. If I violated any terms of the punishment, I could be put in prison for a few years. br /
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So I left. I went to Poland. I had to leave via Russia and Ukraine so that they wouldnrsquo;t detain me at the border. br /
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It was a difficult choice. For a long time I suffered from depression, knowing I wouldnrsquo;t be seeing my family and friends anytime soon. br /
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It was very difficult for me. One of the teachers from my academy in Wrocław asked me how things were in Belarus hellip; to which I could say nothing. And I couldnrsquo;t hold back my tears. br /
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Here, I really miss my family and friends.br /
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In Belarus, they have brought another criminal case against me for not serving my punishment for exercising freedom of thought and expression. br /
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Now I am studying in the Sports Academy, specialising in sports management. I am still training although not regularly, unfortunately. br /
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Studying in another language takes up a lot of time. Plus, I donrsquo;t have the means to maintain a horse. Sometimes, I earn a bit of money as a riding teacher or riding master. Sometimes I go snowboarding. br /
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In principle, life is full of variety. I am keeping myself busy. But somehow, sadlyhellip;
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/belarus-activists-tell-life-exile-20091127Belarus activists tell of life in exile/a (News, 27 November 2009)a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/mikhail-kryvau-20091127br /
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img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-kryvau-thumb2.jpg title=fr alt=fr height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//aReadnbsp;a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/mikhail-kryvau-20091127Mikhail Kryvau/a’s blog
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/ales-charnyshou-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-charnyshau-thumb.jpg title=Ales Charnyshou alt=Ales Charnyshou height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//a Read a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/ales-charnyshou-20091127Ales Charnyshou/a’s blog
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/alyaksei-bondar-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-bondarthumb.jpg title=Alyaksei Bondar alt=Alyaksei Bondar height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//a Read a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/alyaksei-bondar-20091127Alyaksei Bondar/a’s blog
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a href=http://livewire.amnesty.org/2009/11/27/belarusian-youth-activists-speak-out//a
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a href=http://livewire.amnesty.org/2009/11/27/belarusian-youth-activists-speak-out/Belarusian activists speak out /a(Livewire Blog – Discussion) br /
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/call-belarusian-president-free-youth-activistsimg src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/AI/action-button-en.gif title=Take Action alt=Take Action height=73 width=114 class=asset-align-right//aa href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/call-belarusian-president-free-youth-activistsCall on Belarusian President to free youth activists/a
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img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-kryvau-300×200.jpg title=Mikhail Kryvau alt=Mikhail Kryvau height=300 width=250 class=asset-align-right/
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emBlog written for Amnesty International by Belarusian youth activist Mikhail Kryvau, who was sentenced to two years of ‘restricted freedom’ on 22 April 2008./embr /
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In October 2007, I got involved in a group of youth activists called the United Civil Party of Belarus (UCPB). We decided to start the Young Democrats – the UCPB youth wing – and activities involved organizing political discussions and student education seminars, as well as writing and distributing materials. One of our major activities became participation in protest actions held by the democratic opposition.br /
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On the 10th of January 2008, I took part in a major action of protest. The participants of the demonstration ndash; small entrepreneurs and opposition activists ndash; were protesting against one of President Lukashenka’s rulings. br /
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It grew into a mass demonstration and the protesters stopped the traffic in the city centre. However, it remained a peaceful and non-violent protest. br /
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When it was almost over and I was going back home, I was brutally attacked by the officers from the special police force – the so-called quot;Police Squads of Special Functionquot;. br /
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They hit me and bent my arms behind my back. Then the officers threw six or seven more people into the police van. br /
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All of us were lying on the floor with our faces down. They were fiercely hitting us with their iron-covered boots and gloves. I noticed some blood on the girl’s coat next to me.nbsp; We asked the officers to stop but they wouldn’t. It was a shattering experience. I felt like what was happening was unreal and I was just having a very bad dream.br /
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When I was taken to the police department, I felt very bad. I asked for a doctor but the police ignored my requests. I spent the night in a prison cell. br /
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The next morning we were taken to the Minsk Central District Court. In the evening, I was eventually brought before a judge. As a result of the 15-minute quot;trialquot;, I was given 15 days of administrative detention.br /
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Following that, on 4 March 2008, I was called to the police department again. This time, they handed me an Official Note declaring me accused of quot;organizing and active participatingquot; in the January 10th demonstration.br /
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On 16 April 2008, the trial proceedings began in Minsk. A number of opposition activists ndash; 14 people in total – were accused of quot;organizing and active participating in an unauthorized action of protestquot;. br /
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On 22 April, the judge found us guilty. Most of us were sentenced to two years of restricted freedom, which is a form of home arrest. br /
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Our lawyers had the verdicts appealed. However, the sentences were reaffirmed. br /
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In July 2008, my sentence officially came into force. I would have to stay in the confines of my apartment at all times, except when I was at work (eight hours) and the time designated for my day-to-day activities, such as going to the grocery store, barber’s etc. (two hours). br /
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If the police phoned me on my home landline and I was one minute late, I would get my first official warning. If I got three such warnings, my sentence would automatically change from restraint of liberty to deprivation of liberty – i.e. jail. br /
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Every two weeks I would have to go and register at the police department. The police would have the right to enter my apartment at any time of day. I would not be permitted to leave Minsk. I would not be permitted to attend public events such as any kinds of demonstrations, conventions or picketing. I would not be permitted to visit other people’s apartments.br /
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Because of the harsh restrictions imposed on my freedom and the threat of further confinement, I made a difficult decision to flee Belarus. I sought the status of a political refugee, which was granted to me by the Irish government in May 2009.br /
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Since I left Belarus, the police have visited my apartment twice. Both times there was a group of 4-6 police officers. They searched my apartment and asked my relatives and neighbours where I was. When they showed up the second time, they searched my apartment again and told my parents that they had launched a criminal investigation with regard to my evasion from serving my sentence.
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strongREAD MOREbr /
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/stronga href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/belarus-activists-tell-life-exile-20091127Belarus activists tell of life in exile/a (News, 27 November 2009strong)/stronga href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/tatyana-tishkevich-20091127br /
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img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-tatyana-thumb.jpg title=Tatyana Tishkevich alt=Tatyana Tishkevich height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//aRead a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/tatyana-tishkevich-20091127Tatyana Tishkevich/a’s blog
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/ales-charnyshou-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-charnyshau-thumb.jpg title=Ales Charnyshou alt=Ales Charnyshou height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//a Read a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/ales-charnyshou-20091127Ales Charnyshou/a’s blog
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/alyaksei-bondar-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-bondarthumb.jpg title=Alyaksei Bondar alt=Alyaksei Bondar height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//a Read a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/alyaksei-bondar-20091127Alyaksei Bondar/a’s blog
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a href=http://livewire.amnesty.org/2009/11/27/belarusian-youth-activists-speak-out//a
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a href=http://livewire.amnesty.org/2009/11/27/belarusian-youth-activists-speak-out/Belarusian activists speak out /a(Livewire Blog – Discussion)
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/call-belarusian-president-free-youth-activistsimg src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/AI/action-button-en.gif title=Take Action alt=Take Action height=73 width=114 class=asset-align-right//aa href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/call-belarusian-president-free-youth-activistsCall on Belarusian President to free youth activists/a
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img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-charnyshau-300×200.jpg title=Ales Charnyshou alt=Ales Charnyshou height=300 width=250 class=asset-align-right/emBlog written for Amnesty International by Belarusian youth activist Ales Charnyshou, who was sentenced to two years of ‘restricted freedom’ on 22 April 2008.
/embr /
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On April 23, 2008 I was sentenced to two years of ‘restricted freedom’ for participating in a rally in support of entrepreneurs.br /
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The action was intended to draw public attention – and the attention of the national authorities – to the contents of a decree issued by the President of Belarus that significantly worsened the situation for small businesses.br /
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I am not a businessman. But as a person with an active, open attitude, I found it necessary to participate in this action. All the more so because I link my future to business activities and the error of the decree was obvious to me.br /
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During the rally, about 1,500-2,000 people marched with banners from the central square of Minsk to the House of Government.br /
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Unfortunately, my participation in this event turned into 15 days of detention and criminal punishment under the so-called quot;trial of 14quot;, resulting in a sentence of ‘restricted freedom’.br /
nbsp;br /
Since the commencement of criminal proceedings against me, my life has changed dramatically.br /
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After sentencing, I was obliged to have a permanent place of work (without the right to quit), to regularly register at the police station and to be at home every day after 8pm and all weekends and public holidays.br /
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This was all under the control of the police, whose officers had the right to check my presence at home or work at any time.br /
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According to the sentence, I had no right to travel, not only abroad, but also outside the city. I was not allowed to attend any concerts or football matches or other social events.br /
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The slightest infringement, including meeting with friends over a pint of beer (which, incidentally, I love very much ☺) carries a formal warning. After the third such warning, law enforcement agencies are entitled to change the punishment following another trial.br /
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Fortunately I have not reached that stage. I must admit that the police officers, while carrying out their duties, treated me rather humanely. I would like to believe that they understood the uncertainty of my situation.br /
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On June 15, 2009 the terms of my punishment was changed (reduced). It is now quot;correctivequot; work, which means the continuation of work at my normal job, while paying 15% of my earnings to the state. As before, my rights are restricted (for example, I have no right to travel abroad).br /
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I have been following Amnesty International’s activities and I am grateful to them for paying so much attention to our trial, and for issuing the statement in May 2009 in which we were named as ldquo;prisoners of conscience.rdquo;br /
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I hope that an amnesty will be applied to me and others involved in the quot;trial of 14quot;. At the moment, despite everything that has happened, I am optimistic about the future and that is what I am wishing you.
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strongREAD MORE/stronga href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/belarus-activists-tell-life-exile-20091127/a
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/belarus-activists-tell-life-exile-20091127Belarus activists tell of life in exile/a (News, 27 November 2009)br /
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/belarus-activists-tell-life-exile-20091127/a
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/mikhail-kryvau-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-kryvau-thumb2.jpg title=fr alt=fr height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//aReadnbsp;a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/mikhail-kryvau-20091127Mikhail Kryvau/a’s blog
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/tatyana-tishkevich-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-tatyana-thumb.jpg title=Tatyana Tishkevich alt=Tatyana Tishkevich height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//aRead a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/tatyana-tishkevich-20091127Tatyana Tishkevich/a’s blog
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/alyaksei-bondar-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-bondarthumb.jpg title=Alyaksei Bondar alt=Alyaksei Bondar height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//a Read a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/alyaksei-bondar-20091127Alyaksei Bondar/a’s blog
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a href=http://livewire.amnesty.org/2009/11/27/belarusian-youth-activists-speak-out/Belarusian activists speak out /a(Livewire Blog – Discussion) br /
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/call-belarusian-president-free-youth-activistsimg src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/AI/action-button-en.gif title=Take Action alt=Take Action height=73 width=114 class=asset-align-right//aa href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/call-belarusian-president-free-youth-activistsCall on Belarusian President to free youth activists/a
/p

p
img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-bondar-300×200.jpg title=Alyaksei Bondar alt=Alyaksei Bondar height=300 width=250 class=asset-align-right/emBlog written for Amnesty International by Belarusian youth activist Alyaksei Bondar, who was sentenced to two years of ‘restricted freedom’ on 22 April 2008./embr /
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Irsquo;ve been in Moscow for more than a year, having come here to escape
persecution. Since I am on a wanted list, I have to live and work here
illegally. It is not very pleasant to live knowing that any day my life
can change dramatically and I will find myself behind the bars for a
ldquo;crimerdquo; such as the peaceful expression of my opinion. nbsp;br /
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Moscow is a very interesting city but at the same time it is
complicated and difficult to live in; it has a heavy feel. Crowds of
people everywhere, as well as constant traffic jams, create tension. In
general, it is difficult to understand Russia.br /
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The majority of my friends remain in Belarus; therefore I am spending a
lot of time communicating through the internet but I donrsquo;t have enough
real communication.br /
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I would very much like to study something in the field of politics or
economics. However, everything is very uncertain here and I have to
evaluate my opportunities and risks. On the other hand, I donrsquo;t want to
waste time. nbsp;br /
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However, not everything is so bad. I have met my other half here :-) We
love to go for a walk in the old town of Moscow, to visit theatres and
spend time outside the city. br /
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On the whole, I look at life, as before, optimistically, with humour.
Freedom is inside us; no authority can break a man as long as Freedom
lives inside him. For every new day of Freedom, I thank God and the
people who supported and support me in life.nbsp;nbsp;
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strongREAD MORE/stronga href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/belarus-activists-tell-life-exile-20091127/a
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/belarus-activists-tell-life-exile-20091127Belarus activists tell of life in exile/a (News, 27 November 2009)br /
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/belarus-activists-tell-life-exile-20091127/a
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/mikhail-kryvau-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-kryvau-thumb2.jpg title=fr alt=fr height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//aReadnbsp;a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/mikhail-kryvau-20091127Mikhail Kryvau/a’s blog
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/tatyana-tishkevich-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-tatyana-thumb.jpg title=Tatyana Tishkevich alt=Tatyana Tishkevich height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//aRead a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/tatyana-tishkevich-20091127Tatyana Tishkevich/a’s blog
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nbsp;
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a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/ales-charnyshou-20091127img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-charnyshau-thumb.jpg title=Ales Charnyshou alt=Ales Charnyshou height=40 width=40 class=asset-align-left//a Read a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/ales-charnyshou-20091127Ales Charnyshou/a’s blog
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nbsp;
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a href=http://livewire.amnesty.org/2009/11/27/belarusian-youth-activists-speak-out/Belarusian activists speak out /a(Livewire Blog – Discussion)br /
br /
a href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/call-belarusian-president-free-youth-activistsimg src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/AI/action-button-en.gif title=Take Action alt=Take Action height=73 width=114 class=asset-align-right//aa href=http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/call-belarusian-president-free-youth-activistsCall on Belarusian President to free youth activists/a
/p

The Ukraine authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Belarusian musician and activist Igor Koktysh, detained for over two years for the peaceful expression of his beliefs, said Amnesty International.br /
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The organization also urged that Igor Koktysh should not be forcibly returned to Belarus, where he is believed to be at risk of the death penalty on fabricated charges.br /
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Amnesty International said it considers Igor Koktysh to be a prisoner of conscience.br /
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Igor Koktysh has been detained in Ukraine since 25 June 2007, after Belarus requested his extradition over a baseless accusation that he committed murder in Belarus in January 2001.br /
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He is charged with the quot;premeditated, aggravated murderquot; of a close friend’s relative, under Article 139 of the Criminal Code of Belarus, which carries the death penalty.br /
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Igor Koktysh was held in detention from January 2001 until his trial that December. While in custody he was allegedly tortured and ill-treated. This included being beaten and locked naked in a freezing cell, as well as being deprived of necessary medication for his asthma, in order to force him to confess.br /
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Igor Koktysh told Amnesty International that during his detention the head investigator of Brest district told him that he knew he was not guilty of the crime, but that he was under pressure from his superiors. The investigator refused to repeat these words in court.br /
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Able to prove that he was in another city when the murder took place, he was acquitted and released. This verdict was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Belarus on 1 February 2002.br /
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After his release, Igor Koktysh moved to Ukraine where he registered to live and work and met his future wife. In April 2002, the Belarusian Prosecutor General appealed against the verdict and the case was returned to the lower court for a retrial.br /
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Belarus’s request for his extradition followed and Igor Koktysh was detained by the Ukraine authorities on 25 June 2007.br /
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Igor Koktysh filed a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights in October 2007 to challenge his extradition to Belarus and his detention pending extradition. The Court called on the government of Ukraine to not extradite him before the Court has considered the case.br /
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In Ukraine, Igor Koktysh continued to actively support the Belarusian opposition candidate, Alyaksandr Milinkevich, during the presidential election campaign in Belarus in 2006. He created videos, website banners and composed songs supporting the candidate.br /
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He also created a website for the unregistered Informal Youth Movement which contained opposition leaflets and posters.br /
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Igor Koktysh applied for refugee status in Ukraine, but his application was rejected on 23 October 2008. His lawyer is currently appealing against this decision on his behalf.br /
nbsp;br /
A number of international human rights conventions to which Ukraine is a state party prohibit the deportation or extradition of anyone to a country where he or she may face the death penalty, torture or other ill-treatment or other grave human rights violations.br /
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Igor Koktysh, a musician in the banned rock group Mlechny Put (Milky Way), was socially and politically active in Belarus.br /
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He was a founding member of a youth group financed by the Catholic Church, which aimed to rehabilitate young drug users.br /
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Igor Koktysh organized rock festivals to publicize the message quot;No to drugs and violencequot;. At these festivals opposition flags and slogans were displayed.br /
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He was also an active member of the youth opposition movement Zubr (since disbanded) and took part in a number of political campaigns.br /
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In 2000, Igor Koktysh tried to start an independent youth organization, the Informal Youth Movement, but the authorities refused to register the group.br /
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Shortly afterwards, the head of investigations of the local police department came to Igor Koktysh’s house and, in front of witnesses, stated that he would find a reason to arrest him. The police immediately put Igor Koktysh under surveillance and he was subjected to interrogations, searches and criminal charges.

img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/imagecache/previewsize/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-cell-100×100.jpg alt= title= /br/Amnesty International has urged Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to prevent the execution of a death row prisoner convicted of a double murder.br /
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Andrei Zhuk’s appeal against his death sentence was rejected by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. It is the second death sentence that has been upheld in Belarus this month. br /
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Once he receives written notification of the rejection, the 25-year-old will have 10 days to apply to President Lukashenka for clemency. br /
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The Supreme Court also rejected Andrei Zhukrsquo;s complaint that he was beaten in custody on 1 March while in pre-trial detention, despite medical records that substantiate his claim.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;br /
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On 17 July 2009, Andrei Zhuk and two other men were found guilty of armed assault and the murder of a man and woman in February 2009. Andrei Zhuk was sentenced to death, while his accomplices got life and 13 yearsrsquo; imprisonment respectively. br /
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Andrei Zhuk’s lawyer says there were procedural violations during his client’s initial interrogation.br /
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He has also cited the influence of the Belarus media, plus a statement by the Minister of Internal Affairs referring to Andrei Zhuk and his accomplices as quot;criminalsquot; before they had been convicted, which violates the right to presumption of innocence. nbsp;br /
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Another death row inmate Vasily Yuzepchuk, who was convicted of murdering six elderly women, was given 10 days to apply for clemency on 13 October. As yet there is no news on whether his sentence has been carried out.br /
br /
strongBackground/strongbr /
The use of the death penalty in Belarus is compounded by a flawed criminal justice system that administers capital punishment in a manner that violates international laws and standards pertaining to the death penalty. There is credible evidence that torture and ill-treatment are used to extract quot;confessionsquot;.br /
br /
Condemned prisoners are given no warning that they are about to be executed and they are usually executed within minutes of being told that their appeal for clemency has been rejected.br /
br /
They are taken first to one room where, in the presence of the Director of the detention facility, the Prosecutor and one other Ministry of Interior employee, they are told their appeal for clemency had been turned down. They are then taken to a neighbouring room where they are forced to their knees and shot in the back of the head.br /
br /
Their families will only be informed days or sometimes weeks after the execution that their relative has been executed, and they are not given the body or told of the burial site.br /

img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/imagecache/previewsize/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-death-penalty-100×100.jpg alt= title= /br/The United Nations has echoed Amnesty Internationalrsquo;s call to halt the imminent execution of a man accused of murdering of six elderly women in Belarus.br /
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Vasily Yuzepchuk was sentenced to death on 29 June. His lawyer says his investigation and trial were fundamentally flawed and that Yuzepchuk was beaten to force him to confess. br /
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Valery Yuzepchukrsquo;s lawyer submitted a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee, which was registered on 12 October. The Committee has now called on the Belarusian government not to execute Yuzepchuk until it has considered the case.br /
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ldquo;The Belarusian government has voluntarily taken on the obligation to allow for complaints to the Human Rights Committee. To execute Valery Yuzepchuk in the face of a request by the Human Rights Committee would undermine the effectiveness of this remedy,rdquo; said Heather McGill, Amnesty Internationalrsquo;s expert on Belarus.br /
br /
Vasily Yuzepchuk, originally from Ukraine, belongs to the marginalized Roma ethnic group. He may have an intellectual disability and his lawyer has stated that he is illiterate and unable to distinguish the months of the year.br /
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Yuzepchuk has alleged that he was beaten while in pre-trial detention on two separate occasions in January and in March.br /
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The Belarus Supreme Court recently rejected an appeal against his death sentence. Vasily Yuzepchuk was officially informed of this on 13 October and has 10 days from that date to apply for clemency from Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenka. br /
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Belarus is the only country in Europe and Central Asia still executing prisoners. br /
br /
quot;The Belarusian authorities must immediately declare moratorium on all executions and death sentences. They must commute without delay the sentences of all prisoners currently on death row to terms of imprisonment,quot; said Heather McGill.br /
br /
The use of the death penalty in Belarus is compounded by a flawed criminal justice system that administers capital punishment in a manner that violates international laws and standards pertaining to the death penalty. There is credible evidence that torture and ill-treatment are used to extract quot;confessionsquot;.br /
br /
Condemned prisoners are given no warning that they are about to be executed and they are usually executed within minutes of being told that their appeal for clemency has been rejected.br /
br /
They are taken first to one room where and told their appeal for clemency had been turned down. They are then taken to a neighbouring room where they are forced to their knees and shot in the back of the head.br /
br /
Their families will only be informed days or sometimes weeks after the execution that their relative has been executed, and they are not given the body or told of the burial site.

img src=http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/imagecache/previewsize/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/Regions/ECA/belarus-death-penalty-100×100.jpg alt= title= /br/Amnesty International on Wednesday urged the President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenka to grant clemency to a man who may be facing imminent execution.br /
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Vasily Yusepchuk was sentenced to death by Brest Regional Court on 29 June 2009 for the murder of six elderly women.br /
br /
On 2 October his appeal to the Supreme Court was turned down leaving him 10 days from that date to apply to President Lukashenka for clemency.br /
br /
quot;The Belarusian authorities must also immediately declare moratorium on all executions and death sentences. They must commute without delay the sentences of all prisoners currently on death row to terms of imprisonment,quot; said Heather McGill, Amnesty International’s expert on Belarus.br /
br /
Only one request for clemency has been granted since President Lukashenka came to power in 1994.br /
br /
The appeal comes ahead of the World Day against the Death Penalty on Saturday, when activists will call on the authorities of Belarus — the only country in Europe and Central Asia still applying capital punishment — to abolish it.br /
br /
Vasily Yusepchuk may have an intellectual disability and his lawyer has stated that he is illiterate and unable to tell the months of the year apart.br /
br /
He has alleged that he was beaten while in pre-trial detention on two separate occasions in January and in March.br /
br /
By granting clemency to Vasily Yusepchuk, President Lukashenka will make good declarations that Belarus is ready to declare a moratorium on the death penalty and make Europe a death penalty free zone.br /
br /
In Belarus the use of the death penalty is compounded by a flawed criminal justice system that administers capital punishment in a manner that violates international laws and standards pertaining to the death penalty. There is credible evidence that torture and ill-treatment are used to extract quot;confessionsquot;.br /
br /
Condemned prisoners are given no warning that they are about to be executed, and they are usually executed within minutes of being told that their appeal for clemency has been rejected.br /
br /
They are taken first to one room, where, in the presence of the Director of the detention facility, the Prosecutor and one other Ministry of Interior employee, they are told that their appeal for clemency had been turned down and that the sentence will be carried out. They are then taken to a neighbouring room where they are forced to their knees and shot in the back of the head.br /
br /
Their families will only be informed days or sometimes weeks after the execution that their relative has been executed.