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Belarusian Christian Democracy denounces member's placement under KGB supervision

Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD) has denounced the placement of its member under the supervision of the Committee for State Security (KGB) as a threat to all supporters of the unregistered opposition party.

Earlier this month, Aleh Aksyonaw, a BCD coordinator in the Mahilyow region, was placed under "preventive" KGB supervision for acting on behalf of an unregistered organization.

Speaking to reporters in Minsk on Wednesday, BCD Co-chairman Vital Rymashewski said that dozens of the party's activists were subjected to harassment by authorities for campaigning for a boycott of September's elections for the House of Representatives. However, he said, "the Aksyonaw case is exceptional."

Mr. Rymashewski, a former presidential candidate, noted that acting on behalf of an unregistered organization was an offense punishable under the Criminal Code's Article 193.1. "This article has not been applied for four or five years and its application again would de facto mean the destruction of half of Belarus' pro-democratic organizations," he warned.

The politician called on all opposition and human rights groups to join a campaign against the application of the controversial Criminal Code article.

BCD secretary Dzyanis Sadowski said that Mr. Aksyonaw had already appealed his placement under the KGB's supervision to a court. "We intend to support Aksyonaw in all his efforts to appeal the decision, including in Belarusian courts and international institutions," he said.

On July 4, Alyaksandr Lukashenka issued a presidential edict that provides for individuals under preventive KGB supervision to be banned from traveling abroad.

Article 193.1, which penalizes acting on behalf of unregistered organizations, was added to the Criminal Code in December 2005, shortly before a presidential election as part of amendments that provided for harsh punishment "for activities directed against people and public security." Conviction under it carries penalties of a fine or a prison term of up to two years. //BelaPAN