Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MINSK129
2008-02-22 11:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
SDVIZHKOV RELEASED AFTER COURT COMMUTES SENTENCE
how-toVZCZCXRO4635 RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSK #0129 0531109 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 221109Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6937 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1840 RUEHBS/USMISSION USEU 0284 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000129
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PINR BO
SUBJECT: SDVIZHKOV RELEASED AFTER COURT COMMUTES SENTENCE
REF: A. MINSK 051
B. MINSK 120 (AND PREVIOUS)
C. 06 MINSK 305
D. MINSK 079
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000129
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PINR BO
SUBJECT: SDVIZHKOV RELEASED AFTER COURT COMMUTES SENTENCE
REF: A. MINSK 051
B. MINSK 120 (AND PREVIOUS)
C. 06 MINSK 305
D. MINSK 079
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (U) Belarus' Supreme Court on February 22 commuted
independent journalist Aleksandr Sdvizhkov's sentence for
reprinting the infamous cartoons of Mohammed (ref A) from
three years to time served. The court cited Sdvizhkov's
health concerns -- on February 21 he was moved to a prison
hospital in connection with eyesight problems -- and the poor
health of the journalist's mother as the bases for its
decision to commute the sentence.
2. (SBU) The two Muslim community leaders who had originally
pressed charges failed to exercise their right to be present
at the hearing, which was closed to the general public. One
previously told media he did not feel Sdvizhkov should have
served any jail time.
3. (C) Aleksey Korol, the editor of the since closed (ref C)
paper that published the cartoons, told Acting Pol/Econ Chief
that it would have been too much for the regime to completely
overturn the sentence. According to Korol, after several
previous releases of political prisoners (ref B),the GOB
likely fears being seen as weak. The quick ruling on the
appeal, just like that in the case of Artur Finkevich (ref
D),underscores the lack of judicial independence.
Ambassador will seek to meet Sdvizhkov to hear his views on
his imprisonment and release firsthand.
STEWART
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PINR BO
SUBJECT: SDVIZHKOV RELEASED AFTER COURT COMMUTES SENTENCE
REF: A. MINSK 051
B. MINSK 120 (AND PREVIOUS)
C. 06 MINSK 305
D. MINSK 079
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (U) Belarus' Supreme Court on February 22 commuted
independent journalist Aleksandr Sdvizhkov's sentence for
reprinting the infamous cartoons of Mohammed (ref A) from
three years to time served. The court cited Sdvizhkov's
health concerns -- on February 21 he was moved to a prison
hospital in connection with eyesight problems -- and the poor
health of the journalist's mother as the bases for its
decision to commute the sentence.
2. (SBU) The two Muslim community leaders who had originally
pressed charges failed to exercise their right to be present
at the hearing, which was closed to the general public. One
previously told media he did not feel Sdvizhkov should have
served any jail time.
3. (C) Aleksey Korol, the editor of the since closed (ref C)
paper that published the cartoons, told Acting Pol/Econ Chief
that it would have been too much for the regime to completely
overturn the sentence. According to Korol, after several
previous releases of political prisoners (ref B),the GOB
likely fears being seen as weak. The quick ruling on the
appeal, just like that in the case of Artur Finkevich (ref
D),underscores the lack of judicial independence.
Ambassador will seek to meet Sdvizhkov to hear his views on
his imprisonment and release firsthand.
STEWART