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USA calls for immediate release of human rights defender Byalyatski

The United States called on Monday for the immediate release of human rights defender Ales Byalyatski, who was arrested last week on suspicion of tax evasion.

"We are deeply concerned about the arrest and detention of Ales Byalyatski, who is a prominent human rights activist and the head of the NGO Vyasna, the human rights center, one of only two human rights organizations in Belarus," said Mark Toner, deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State.

"Independent nongovernmental organizations such as Vyasna play a critical role in any democratic society and Mr. Byalyatski’s arrest represents another unfortunate sign of Belarus’s self-isolation and violation of international standards on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law."

"The United States calls on the Government of Belarus to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Byalyatski and the more than 40 political prisoners in Belarus today," Mr. Toner said. //BelaPAN