Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MINSK819
2006-08-02 14:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
US and European Heads of Mission Press for Access to NGO
how-toVZCZCXRO8381 RR RUEHAST DE RUEHSK #0819 2141414 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 021414Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4820 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 3533 RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KIEV 3384 RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 3398 RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 3762 RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 1746 RUCNOSC/ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY COOPERATION IN EUROPE RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1237 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS MINSK 000819
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: US and European Heads of Mission Press for Access to NGO
Partnership Trial
Ref: Minsk 791
UNCLAS MINSK 000819
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: US and European Heads of Mission Press for Access to NGO
Partnership Trial
Ref: Minsk 791
1. (SBU) U.S. and EU embassies in Minsk have taken an assertive
and coordinated approach to spotlighting the criminal trial against
four young leaders of the prominent NGO Partnerstvo (Partnership).
Belarusian authorities accused Timofei Dranchuk, Aleksandr
Shalaiko, Nikolai Astreiko, and Enira Bronitskaya of operating an
illegal organization, a charge for which they could receive up to
three years in prison (reftel).
2. (SBU) On August 1, Charge met with family members of the
accused activists on trial at the courthouse. In response to
questions from independent journalists observing the trial, Charge
stated that the diplomatic missions of the United States and the
European Union were following the trial closely. He expressed
regret that the trial was closed, noting that he did not see a
reason for it to be closed and that the closure of the trial
disadvantaged both international observers and the family members
of the accused. Charge's remarks were reported accurately and
positively by several international and independent Belarusian news
organizations. Following Charge's visit, OSCE Head of Mission
Ambassador Peterson also arrived at the courthouse to confer with
the family members.
3. (SBU) On August 2, Charge and the German Ambassador on behalf
of the Finnish EU presidency arrived together at Tsentralniy
courthouse to renew their request that presiding judge Leonid
Yasinevich permit international observation of the proceedings but
were repeatedly denied entry. German Ambassador Hecker left the
courthouse after a brief stay. Charge remained for almost an hour
to reiterate to authorities his request for permission to observe
the trial, to offer moral support to the families, and to confer
with OSCE observers on site. Poloff, well acquainted with the
court's security officer, reiterated the request for access which
was politely but finally refused. The families repeatedly
expressed their gratitude to Charge and the people of the United
States for the daily Embassy presence. They also told Charge that
the prosecution would likely finish its case late on August 2.
Relatives of Dranchuk and Shalaiko informed Charge that two
surprise prosecution witnesses were called to the court earlier on
August 2 and that these witnesses were not members of Partnership.
[Note: On July 28 and July 31, court authorities denied Poloff and
representatives from the OSCE and EU permission to observe the
trial, ostensibly for reasons of "witness protection." Relatives
of Dranchuk and Shalaiko separately mentioned to Poloff that a
prosecution witness failed to appear at court to testify and that
the BKGB had searched the witness' residence at least three times
that morning. Family members reported to the OSCE observers and
Poloff that the detention center had denied the accused water on
July 28 and 31 but provided water on August 1.]
MOORE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: US and European Heads of Mission Press for Access to NGO
Partnership Trial
Ref: Minsk 791
1. (SBU) U.S. and EU embassies in Minsk have taken an assertive
and coordinated approach to spotlighting the criminal trial against
four young leaders of the prominent NGO Partnerstvo (Partnership).
Belarusian authorities accused Timofei Dranchuk, Aleksandr
Shalaiko, Nikolai Astreiko, and Enira Bronitskaya of operating an
illegal organization, a charge for which they could receive up to
three years in prison (reftel).
2. (SBU) On August 1, Charge met with family members of the
accused activists on trial at the courthouse. In response to
questions from independent journalists observing the trial, Charge
stated that the diplomatic missions of the United States and the
European Union were following the trial closely. He expressed
regret that the trial was closed, noting that he did not see a
reason for it to be closed and that the closure of the trial
disadvantaged both international observers and the family members
of the accused. Charge's remarks were reported accurately and
positively by several international and independent Belarusian news
organizations. Following Charge's visit, OSCE Head of Mission
Ambassador Peterson also arrived at the courthouse to confer with
the family members.
3. (SBU) On August 2, Charge and the German Ambassador on behalf
of the Finnish EU presidency arrived together at Tsentralniy
courthouse to renew their request that presiding judge Leonid
Yasinevich permit international observation of the proceedings but
were repeatedly denied entry. German Ambassador Hecker left the
courthouse after a brief stay. Charge remained for almost an hour
to reiterate to authorities his request for permission to observe
the trial, to offer moral support to the families, and to confer
with OSCE observers on site. Poloff, well acquainted with the
court's security officer, reiterated the request for access which
was politely but finally refused. The families repeatedly
expressed their gratitude to Charge and the people of the United
States for the daily Embassy presence. They also told Charge that
the prosecution would likely finish its case late on August 2.
Relatives of Dranchuk and Shalaiko informed Charge that two
surprise prosecution witnesses were called to the court earlier on
August 2 and that these witnesses were not members of Partnership.
[Note: On July 28 and July 31, court authorities denied Poloff and
representatives from the OSCE and EU permission to observe the
trial, ostensibly for reasons of "witness protection." Relatives
of Dranchuk and Shalaiko separately mentioned to Poloff that a
prosecution witness failed to appear at court to testify and that
the BKGB had searched the witness' residence at least three times
that morning. Family members reported to the OSCE observers and
Poloff that the detention center had denied the accused water on
July 28 and 31 but provided water on August 1.]
MOORE