Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MINSK738
2006-07-17 14:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
Opposition Party Leader Arrested in Rally Near Russian
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UNCLAS MINSK 000738
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: Opposition Party Leader Arrested in Rally Near Russian
Embassy
UNCLAS MINSK 000738
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: Opposition Party Leader Arrested in Rally Near Russian
Embassy
1. (SBU) On July 17, a Belarusian court sentenced United Civic
Party (UCP) leader Anatoly Lebedko to 10 days in jail for "minor
hooliganism" for attempting to participate in a July 16 protest
near the Russian Embassy in Minsk. Authorities also charged
activist Evgeny Askerko, whose trial followed Lebedko's, but all
remaining detainees were released on July 16.
2. (SBU) The July 16 attempted protest aimed to focus
international attention on repression in Belarus as part of the
"Days of Solidarity" protest and to urge Russia during the G-8
Summit in St. Petersburg to cease its support of the Lukashenko
regime. [Note: Opposition activists have commemorated the "Day of
Solidarity" on the sixteenth day of every month since September 16,
2005, the sixth anniversary of the disappearance of opposition
activists Viktor Gonchar and Anatoly Krasovsky.]
3. (SBU) Poloff observed that Belarusian police detained as many as
40 people near the Russian Embassy, including UCP leader Anatoly
Lebedko and opposition activist Zmitser Barodka. At the time of
his arrest, Lebedko had been speaking with journalists. Poloff did
not observe police use violence against Lebedko, and on July 17 UCP
party representatives informed the Embassy that Lebedko suffered
"no physical harm."
4. (SBU) COMMENT: The GOB's virtual singling out of Lebedko for
arrest during the G-8 Summit and so soon after the sentencing of
opposition leader Aleksandr Kozulin to five and a half years in
prison would appear to be another, albeit much smaller, act of
defiance by the Lukashenko regime to Western pressure for political
reform.
KROL
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: Opposition Party Leader Arrested in Rally Near Russian
Embassy
1. (SBU) On July 17, a Belarusian court sentenced United Civic
Party (UCP) leader Anatoly Lebedko to 10 days in jail for "minor
hooliganism" for attempting to participate in a July 16 protest
near the Russian Embassy in Minsk. Authorities also charged
activist Evgeny Askerko, whose trial followed Lebedko's, but all
remaining detainees were released on July 16.
2. (SBU) The July 16 attempted protest aimed to focus
international attention on repression in Belarus as part of the
"Days of Solidarity" protest and to urge Russia during the G-8
Summit in St. Petersburg to cease its support of the Lukashenko
regime. [Note: Opposition activists have commemorated the "Day of
Solidarity" on the sixteenth day of every month since September 16,
2005, the sixth anniversary of the disappearance of opposition
activists Viktor Gonchar and Anatoly Krasovsky.]
3. (SBU) Poloff observed that Belarusian police detained as many as
40 people near the Russian Embassy, including UCP leader Anatoly
Lebedko and opposition activist Zmitser Barodka. At the time of
his arrest, Lebedko had been speaking with journalists. Poloff did
not observe police use violence against Lebedko, and on July 17 UCP
party representatives informed the Embassy that Lebedko suffered
"no physical harm."
4. (SBU) COMMENT: The GOB's virtual singling out of Lebedko for
arrest during the G-8 Summit and so soon after the sentencing of
opposition leader Aleksandr Kozulin to five and a half years in
prison would appear to be another, albeit much smaller, act of
defiance by the Lukashenko regime to Western pressure for political
reform.
KROL