New Criminal Cases against Young Front Members

• 10.04.2008, 9:09

New criminal actions have been brought up against activists of the youth organization Young Front, Nasta Palazhanka and Alyaksei Yanusheuski for activities on behalf of an unregistered organization (Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus).

Nasta Palazhanka by chance found out that a new criminal action had been brought up against her.

“On April 5 I was in the department of citizenship and migration of the Pershamajski district of Minsk. I was told that a criminal action had been brought up against me indeed. I am entered in a database thanks to the Internal Affairs ministry. The criminal case was opened on March 14, 2007. Yesterday I filed an application to the Internal Affairs Ministry with a demand to explain me what kind of a case it is, and why I know nothing about it. When this information is groundless, I ask to cross me out of that database.

Besides, we have found out that in December a criminal case against Alyaksei Yanusheuski was initiated. This all reveals a tricky plan of the regime, some actions against the “Young Front”. Nobody knows what will follow. It is possible that new criminal cases are initiated in order to ban people from leaving the country, or it is possible that it would bring about new trials,” the activist told to Polish radio.

In 2007 Nasta Palazhanka, a schoolgirl, and a student Alyaksei Yanusheuski, were already convicted for activities on behalf of the Young Front. Nasta was officially warned, as she was underage, and Alyaksei was fined.

The youth organization the Young Font had made numerous attempts to be registered in Belarus; however the Justice Ministry found reasons for denial. This year in January the Young Front was registered in the Czech Republic as an international youth organization.