English

Authorities reject petitions for Byalyatski's release

The Financial Investigations Department of the State Control Committee has turned down all of some 600 petitions calling for human rights defender Ales Byalyatski's release against the signatory's guarantee that he would not flee from prosecution or obstruct the investigation or engage in criminal activities.

The petitions were collected and delivered to the agency, which is investigating a tax evasion case against the 48-year-old leader of the Vyasna human rights group, by the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC).

After receiving the petitions, the Department said that "there are no grounds" for Mr. Byalyatski's release, BHC legal expert Hary Pahanyayla told BelaPAN.

Mr. Pahanyayla described the arrested activist as "another hostage taken by the authorities," which he said are trying to use the case to intimidate human rights defenders and political opponents.

Associates plan to continue collecting petitions for Mr. Byalyatski's release. "We view this campaign not only as an opportunity to secure Byalyatski's release but also as a manifestation of solidarity with him," human rights defender Uladzimir Labkovich told BelaPAN.

Mr. Byalyatski, who is also vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights, was arrested in Minsk on August 4.

On August 12, he was formally charged with large-scale tax evasion. Under Part Two of the Criminal Code’s Article 243, the offense carries a penalty of a “restricted freedom” term of up to five years or a prison term of three to seven years.

The charge stems from information about Mr. Byalyatski’s bank accounts abroad, which was provided by authorities in a number of European countries.

Mr. Byalyatski’s associates insist that the money in his bank accounts abroad should not be viewed as his income, as it was contributed by various foundations and intended to finance Vyasna’s activities.