Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MINSK373
2007-05-08 13:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Minsk
how-toVZCZCXRO8904 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSK #0373 1281356 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 081356Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5979 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1551 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000373
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY VISITS POLITICAL PRISONER
REF: A. 06 MINSK 513
B. MINSK 352
C. MINSK 228
Classified By: Charge Jonathan Moore for reason 1.4 (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000373
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY VISITS POLITICAL PRISONER
REF: A. 06 MINSK 513
B. MINSK 352
C. MINSK 228
Classified By: Charge Jonathan Moore for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (C) DCM and Poloff met with opposition youth leader Artur
Finkevich on April 26 in the eastern city of Mogilyov, where
Finkevich is serving two years of internal exile on trumped
up charges of malicious hooliganism and large-scale property
damage (ref A). Upon our arrival at his detention facility,
correctional authorities questioned the purpose of the
Embassy visit and insisted on observing our meeting, just as
they had observed OSCE Ambassador Ake Peterson's March 23
visit. Throughout the meeting, authorities frequently
interrupted Finkevich and highlighted his numerous alleged
"violations" of facility regulations, including several
late-night attempts to leave his room to use the lavatory.
2. (C) The facility commander - a police lieutenant colonel
- and a plainclothes BKGB were present during our meeting,
which took place in the commander's office. Reiterating EUR
DAS David Kramer's recent strong message to GOB Presidential
Administration Deputy Natalya Petkevich in Minsk, the DCM
expressed to Finkevich the USG's moral support for him and
Belarus' other political prisoners, encouraged him to apply
to the GOB for amnesty, and reassured him that the Embassy
would continue to follow his situation very closely (ref B).
In response to a question from the DCM, Finkevich requested
the Embassy to continue showing its support for five of his
fellow opposition youth organization "Malady Front" members
who face up to two years in prison (ref C). He thanked the
Embassy for focusing international attention on his
situation.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) During our visit, Finkevich understandably appeared
subdued and wary of the intimidating presence and demeanor of
the correctional authorities. Nevertheless, we were deeply
moved by the youth leader's resilience and his single-minded
concern for his fellow pro-democracy activists. We will
observe their upcoming trial - scheduled for May 30 - and
continue our efforts to visit other Belarusian political
prisoners.
Moore
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY VISITS POLITICAL PRISONER
REF: A. 06 MINSK 513
B. MINSK 352
C. MINSK 228
Classified By: Charge Jonathan Moore for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (C) DCM and Poloff met with opposition youth leader Artur
Finkevich on April 26 in the eastern city of Mogilyov, where
Finkevich is serving two years of internal exile on trumped
up charges of malicious hooliganism and large-scale property
damage (ref A). Upon our arrival at his detention facility,
correctional authorities questioned the purpose of the
Embassy visit and insisted on observing our meeting, just as
they had observed OSCE Ambassador Ake Peterson's March 23
visit. Throughout the meeting, authorities frequently
interrupted Finkevich and highlighted his numerous alleged
"violations" of facility regulations, including several
late-night attempts to leave his room to use the lavatory.
2. (C) The facility commander - a police lieutenant colonel
- and a plainclothes BKGB were present during our meeting,
which took place in the commander's office. Reiterating EUR
DAS David Kramer's recent strong message to GOB Presidential
Administration Deputy Natalya Petkevich in Minsk, the DCM
expressed to Finkevich the USG's moral support for him and
Belarus' other political prisoners, encouraged him to apply
to the GOB for amnesty, and reassured him that the Embassy
would continue to follow his situation very closely (ref B).
In response to a question from the DCM, Finkevich requested
the Embassy to continue showing its support for five of his
fellow opposition youth organization "Malady Front" members
who face up to two years in prison (ref C). He thanked the
Embassy for focusing international attention on his
situation.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) During our visit, Finkevich understandably appeared
subdued and wary of the intimidating presence and demeanor of
the correctional authorities. Nevertheless, we were deeply
moved by the youth leader's resilience and his single-minded
concern for his fellow pro-democracy activists. We will
observe their upcoming trial - scheduled for May 30 - and
continue our efforts to visit other Belarusian political
prisoners.
Moore