(WiPC/IFEX) – On 8 October 1997, Pavel Sheremet, the Minsk bureau chief of the Russian television station ORT, was released pending trial. He was reportedly taken home in handcuffs under escort by police officers. His release is on condition that he not leave Minsk. Sheremet’s lawyers say that his trial is due to start by […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – On 8 October 1997, Pavel Sheremet, the Minsk bureau
chief of the Russian television station ORT, was released pending
trial. He was reportedly taken home in handcuffs under escort by
police officers. His release is on condition that he not leave
Minsk. Sheremet’s lawyers say that his trial is due to start by
the end of October.
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 9 September, 6 August, 31 and 28 July
1997**
Background Information
Sheremet was arrested on 26 July 1997, along with a cameraman and
driver (both since released). He was charged under Article 80 of
the Belarus Penal Code with illegally crossing the
Belarus/Lithuanian border. Human rights groups question the
validity of the charges, and it is believed that they have been
brought against Sheremet in retaliation for his reports
criticising the Belarus authorities. Sheremet’s arrest has been
met by protests by Belarus journalists, many of whom were briefly
detained as a result. In August, Sheremet went on hunger-strike
against his detention (see IFEX alerts).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
unconditional, that his movements remain restricted and that
trial proceedings continue against him
been levied in retaliation for his criticism of the Belarus
authorities
the prosecution process be discontinued and that he suffer no
further harassment for his legitimate practice of his profession
as a journalist
Appeals To
His Excellency
President Alexander Lukashenko
Minsk, Belarus
Fax: +375 172 23 58 25 or 22 38 72Valentin Agolets
Minister of the Interior
Minsk, Belarus
Fax: + 375 172 23 99 18
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
eriodis@netizen.com.ar.
