Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MINSK49
2008-01-25 17:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
THIRD POLITICAL PRISONER RELEASED
how-toVZCZCXRO1472 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSK #0049 0251701 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251701Z JAN 08 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6839 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1803 RUEHBS/USMISSION USEU 0266 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000049
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PINR BO
SUBJECT: THIRD POLITICAL PRISONER RELEASED
REF: MINSK 044
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000049
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PINR BO
SUBJECT: THIRD POLITICAL PRISONER RELEASED
REF: MINSK 044
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (C) The Belarusian regime freed political prisoner Yuriy
Leonov late January 25. Former political prisoner and
prisoner rights activist Timofey Dranchuk reported earlier on
January 25 to Pol/Econ Chief that Leonov would be released
shortly. A friend and business partner of recently released
political prisoner Nikolay Avtukhovich, Leonov was charged
together with Avtukhovich in 2006. He received a three-year
five-month sentence, which he was serving in a prison camp in
Bobruysk.
2. (C) Comment: During a January 24 meeting with
Ambassador, Avtukhovich (septel) indicated that he had seen
no indication as to when or if Leonov would be released.
According to Avtukhovich, prison officials recently notified
Leonov of a possibility of transfer to khimya (protective
custody),though based on law he would only be eligible for
transfer after March 21. This is the third release of
political prisoners in roughly a week (reftel),and provides
further indication of the regime's intent to speed up the
release of all long-term political prisoners. End comment.
STEWART
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PINR BO
SUBJECT: THIRD POLITICAL PRISONER RELEASED
REF: MINSK 044
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (C) The Belarusian regime freed political prisoner Yuriy
Leonov late January 25. Former political prisoner and
prisoner rights activist Timofey Dranchuk reported earlier on
January 25 to Pol/Econ Chief that Leonov would be released
shortly. A friend and business partner of recently released
political prisoner Nikolay Avtukhovich, Leonov was charged
together with Avtukhovich in 2006. He received a three-year
five-month sentence, which he was serving in a prison camp in
Bobruysk.
2. (C) Comment: During a January 24 meeting with
Ambassador, Avtukhovich (septel) indicated that he had seen
no indication as to when or if Leonov would be released.
According to Avtukhovich, prison officials recently notified
Leonov of a possibility of transfer to khimya (protective
custody),though based on law he would only be eligible for
transfer after March 21. This is the third release of
political prisoners in roughly a week (reftel),and provides
further indication of the regime's intent to speed up the
release of all long-term political prisoners. End comment.
STEWART