Picket near Horki penal colony to support Dashkevich

• 2.08.2011, 16:06

Supporters of Dashkevich unfurled a banner “Stop Persecution” in front of the colony building.

They think that something bad happened with Dashkevich in prison, otherwise his lawyers would have been allowed to see him, Radio Svaboda reports.

Police officers try to disperse the picket, but picketers sat down on the ground. Policemen tried to snatch the banner out of their hands and drag activists to the colony building. Older people defended the youth coming into clashes with police.

A police van drove up and ten persons were thrown inside.

About 30 people gathered today near the entrance to penal colony No 19 in Horki, where Young Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich serves his punishment. They are journalists, Zmitser's friends, opposition activists, among them chairman of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka and leader of Tell the Truth campaign Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu.

The colony deputy chief told lawyer Anatoly Myalek he was not permitted to see Dashkevich, because the prisoner had not applied for the meeting.