10 April 2008
Opposition youth leaders Dashkevich, Finkevich, Nasha Niva reporter Pechanko released from jail

Prominent opposition youths Zmitser Dashkevich and Artur Finkevich and Nasha Niva reporter Syamyon Pechanko, as well as six more opposition politicians and supporters were released from the detention center on Akrestsina Street in Minsk on Wednesday, having served out their 15-day jail sentences.

The other people released on April 9 included Ilya Bohdan, a member of the Belarusian Popular Front, sole entrepreneurs Viktar Kaley and Uladzimir Syarheyew, Pavel Syaveryn, a member of the youth wing of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party “Hramada,” opposition activists Dzyanis Karnow and Vital Akimaw.

They were sent to jail on a charge of participation in an unauthorized demonstration on March 26. They were grabbed during a police crackdown on an opposition demonstration in downtown Minsk the day before.

Mr. Dashkevich was released from the detention center more than four hours before the official expiry of his term. He explained that authorities did not want him to be met by a big crowd of associates at the jail entrance.

Twenty-six people were sentenced to jail terms of between three and 15 days and 50 more were slapped with fines over their participation in the demonstration. A total of 88 people were arrested during the violent dispersal of the event, human rights groups say.