Stefan Fuele supports “Vyasna”

• 25.01.2012, 11:18

The European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fuele had a meeting with deputy chairman of “Vyasna” human rights centre Valyantsin Stefanovich.

Mr Fuele has once again expressed support to the courageous work of human rights watchdogs in Belarus, “Vyasna” human rights centre informs.

The European Commissioner expressed concern over the politically motivated persecution of “Vyasna” human rights centre.

The meeting was held right after Minsk city court refused to grant a cassation appeal of “Vyasna” chairman, the vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights Ales Byalyatski.

Ales Byalyatski, “Vyasna” leader, was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison in November 2011. He was found guilty of tax evasion. The human rights activist pleaded not guilty and stated that all money received on his bank accounts were spent on human rights actvities.

The ground for criminal prosecution was information about bank accounts received by official Minsk from Lithuania and Poland.

Byalyatski is held in Zhodzina prison.

The countries of the European Union, the US and international human rights organizations have recognized Byalyatski a political prisoner, and the verdict to him to be politically motivated. They demand the authorities of Belarus to release the human rights activist.