Free Belarus!

Starting from April 28, 2011 illegitimate president of Belarus - the pretender Lukashenko signed a decree (number 666) which introduced a new monetary unit in his country which is called ZERO RUBLES. Also the same decree prohibited the celebration of the Independence Day in Belarus - July 3. No more holidays. This particular holiday was sold to Russia for $ 3 billion.

The new currency starts circulating in Belarus today. For this currency it's possible to buy anything Belarusian people do not want and do not need: a new president, a new government, a new Constitution & Law, human rights, democracy and progress ...

The events of the first four months of 2011 - a currency crisis, rising prices, a terrorist attack [http://www.squidoo.com/FreeBelarus] did not add any new popularity to an old Head of State. And, apparently, the problems in economy will grow. One gets the impression that the regime begins to lose control over the situation. In this situation, any alternative information it seems dangerous. Reaction to what is happening was scream from the government: "Everyone - be silent!"

The last opposition newspapers "Nasha Niva" and "Narodnaya Volya" (People's Will) probably will be closed soon. And "cleansing" of the Internet has been started before and after of so called terrorist attack. Here comes a tipping to all mass media in Belarus: there is only one point of view - official ...

In a nutshell it can be described as simple: "more dictatorship and less and less the rule of law." As Lukashenko once mentioned: "excessive democracy explains the recent explosion in the subway". On Wednesday, April 27th, Minsk courts confirmed Lukashenko's words with practical solutions. One of the leaders of the opposition Dmitry Bondarenko was sentenced to two years in prison for organizing
December's meeting in protest against unfair re-election of Lukashenko. http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/206250

Seven other former presidential candidates can be sentenced up to 10 years in prison. Wife of the presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov, journalist Irina Khalip will appear before judge on May 11th in Zavodskoi district of Minsk. The same day the other former presidential candidate - Nikolai Statkevich will be sentenced. Trial date will be another gift of the dictator Lukashenko to little Danik - son of ex-presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov and Irina Khalip. On May 15th Danik is going to celebrate his 4 years birthday. Judicial murder of his father Andrei Sannikov began yesterday on April 27th, 2011.

The plan of the dictator Lukashenko and his police regime is to pass severe sentences to the following SEVEN presidential candidates: Andrei Sannikov, Vladimir Neklliaev, Aleksei Mikhalevich (at present time he is in Czech Republic [http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/222207]), Vladimir Nekliaev, Vitaly Rymashevsky, Nikolai Statkevich, and Dmitry Uss [http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/200486]
and then start bargaining with the West.

By harsh sentences the regime can show its uncompromising stand against any kind of alternative thinking. Dictator Lukashenko and his gang want to make it clear this time that no one would go unpunished in Belarus, so no one would fancy taking to the streets to protest. And the rest would happen as a backstage game with the West. We remember what was happening with Aleksander Kazulin, who was released from jail in 2008 [http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/71549] and it thawed the relations between Belarus and Europe. There's nothing new in Lukashenko's game. He is not so smart to make it different.

So should economic sanctions be imposed on businesses of Lukashenka's family and friends?
94% of Belarusians say "Yes".

MINSK, BELARUS

Police in Belarus carried out spot checks on roads and at stations and airports on Tuesday after a bomb blast tore through a crowded metro station in the capital Minsk on Monday evening, killing at least 12 people.

The defence ministry said 204 people were in hospital, 26 of them in a serious condition, after the rush-hour blast at one of Minsk's busiest underground rail junctions close to the presidential headquarters.

President Alexander Lukashenko, the autocratic leader who has led the ex-Soviet country since 1994, said on Monday night the explosion was an attempt to destabilize the country.

Authorities did not say who was behind the explosion - a rare act of wanton violence in the tightly policed country.

The explosive device, which had been packed with metal balls and had a strength equivalent to 5-7 kgs of TNT, was apparently left under a platform bench. About 300 people were on the spot when it exploded as a train came into the station, Interior Minister Anatoily Kuleshov said.

Lukashenko, who is at odds with the West over his authoritarian rule, linked the explosion to a previous unsolved blast in 2008, saying: "I do not rule out that this was a gift from abroad."

"These are perhaps links in a single chain," he said, referring to a blast in July 2008 when a home-made bomb wounded about 50 people at an open air concert he was attending. The 2008 crime was never solved.

Belarus's state security service put the death toll at 12 after the death of one injured person overnight. Wednesday was declared an official day of mourning.

The metro blast occurred as Belarus struggles with a damaging run on foreign currency which has prompted panic-buying.

Central Bank foreign currency reserves are at their lowest in two years and there is no new credit deal with the International Monetary Fund in sight.

"UNDERMINING STABILITY"

Lukashenko vowed on Monday to turn the country "inside-out" to find those responsible for the attack.

Lukashenko's re-election for a fourth term in December led to street protests that were broken up by police.

Belarus shares borders with EU members Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, and with Russia and Ukraine.

One opposition figure said he feared Lukashenko would use the blast to crack down even more harshly on political rivals.

"Prosecutors qualify this as a terrorist act," a source in Lukashenko's administration told Reuters.

A former state-farm boss, Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist, jailing opponents and muzzling independent media while offering generous welfare and pensions to his citizens on the back of Russian subsidies.

FLOWERS AND CANDLES

Monday's blast took place at around 6 p.m. at the Oktyabrskaya metro station - Minsk's busiest - about 100 metres (yards) from Lukashenko's main headquarters.

On Tuesday there was a reduced service running on Minsk's metro network and a heavy police presence at many stations.

People placed flowers and candles at the entry to Oktyabrskaya station in memory of the dead.

"I have a feeling of sadness and painful anger. This should not have happened to us. We are not the sort of country where this sort of thing happens," said Valentin Lepen, aged 70.

"My first feeling was fear and a sense of vulnerability because none of us are safe against this sort of thing," said Yuri Elensky.

"We are in shock. Nobody thought that anything like this could happen in Minsk, anywhere but here," said Natalya, 28.

The EU and the United States have imposed a travel ban on Lukashenko and his closest associates because of the Dec. 19 crackdown. He has said the opposition rally was an attempted coup financed by the West.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe monitors said the vote count was flawed and criticized police for being heavy-handed. The remarks angered Minsk, which forced the OSCE to close down its office there.

In typical combative style, Lukashenko hit back, defending the police, dismissing members of the opposition as being bent on "banditry" and denouncing the OSCE verdict as "amoral".

"Regardless of who organized and ordered the blast, the government will be tempted to use it as an excuse to tighten the screws ...
I am afraid they will use it," said Anatoly Lebedko, leader of the opposition United Civic Party.

Minsk, Belarus

On February 9, 2011 in Minsk, Belarus dictator Lukashenko has awarded five chief policemen for beating badly peaceful protesters on December 19, 2010. Five members of the Minsk militia were presented with the letters of appreciation with his signature. These letters were awarded to Colonel Igor Evseev, colonel Alexander Lukomskiy, colonel Victor Skurat, major Sergey Ivanov and Roman Kadin.

"At this crucial historical period, it is very important for me to lean on support of people like you - a true patriots, caring and loyal with warm hearts. Thank you for civic courage and active position in life "- says the message of the dictator in the letters of appreciation.

Meantime the Case of the Mass Protests in Minsk on December 19, 2010 (Bloody Sunday, as they call this day in Belarus) continues to grow as a snowball. On the list of defendants already 43 people, including seven ex-presidential candidates. Three former contestants - Andrey Sannikov, Aleksei Mikhalevich and Nikolai Statkevich still under arrest in KGB prison. Searches and arrests in Belarus continue every day. KGB investigators had already visited many opposition activists several times.

Human rights activists have told of torture and violence against opposition. On February 9th, 2011 Experts of the International Observation Mission Committee of International Control Over Human Rights situation in Belarus announced the results of the evidence-research conducted on the basis of information received from 205 people in Minsk from January 3rd to January 21st, 2011. The study analyzed 205 questionnaires answered by respondents who have been detained in the course of public action on the night of 19th to 20th of December 2010. Respondents' age from 18 to 61 years, 43 of them - women, 162 - men.

Experts assert with confidence that "the officials used violence and brutality in detentions. Violence has been applied to every fourth detainee and the acts of violence were accompanied by insults and humiliation of detainees. " It should be noted that most detainees were not resisting arrests, showing willingness to comply with the procedure of the arrest by policemen. At the same time representatives of the authorities in every sixth case of participation in the arrest did not have badges, and their faces were concealed under black masks.

Violation of judicial proceedings in administrative cases of detainees can be considered mainstream. Almost all so-called trials lasted an average of 5 to 15 minutes, while

most of the detainees have never had a chance to defend themselves.

Judges conducted trials with many serious procedural violations under close doors. Lawyers hired by detainees' families were not admitted to the trials along with family members, journalists and the public. Judges refused to examine witnesses for the defense, and did not provide detainees with the explanation of the procedure to appeal their decisions.

Conditions of administrative detainees in all institutions, where they were, in many cases can be considered derogatory to human dignity. The cells were overcrowded, they were cold, ventilation was weak, the lighting was poor, and the amount of beds, bed linen and toiletries was not adequate. Drinking water was not provided, the quality of food was very low, the use of shower and exercise yards has been severely restricted and insufficient to maintain a normal lifestyle, and restrooms were poorly equipped in terms of privacy. Detention staff was very rude and partially plundered transmissions sent to detainees.

The general conclusion on the facts and the analysis can be summarized as follows: Authority of the Republic of Belarus were not ready for such mass actions of protest and failed to secure the rights and freedoms of people of the Republic of Belarus at the time of detention, during the trial and at keeping them in prison.

Searches and arrests in Belarus continue every day. KGB investigators had already visited many opposition activists several times.

European Union denied entry to 158 high-ranking Belarusian officials, including illegitimate president Lukashenko and his two sons - Viktor and Dmitry. But

many international experts were disappointed: Europe did not introduce economic sanctions. U.S. will try to convince the EU to introduce against the Lukashenko regime and economic sanctions. Washington convinced that the dictator and the people around him earn huge money in oil companies deals.

In terms of the EU visa ban, the new register covers illegitimate president Aleksander Lukashenko and his two adult sons: Dmitriy and Viktor. Thirty-year-old Dmitriy is said in the EU documents to have "active participation in financial operations involving the Lukashenko family." He also runs the Presidential Sports Club.

What is interesting is that Yuriy Sivakov, a man suspected of mass-scale money laundering for so called president Alexander Lukashenko, has been quietly left out of a EU asset-freeze on the Belarusian nomenclature as Andrew Rettman mentioned in his article in EuroObserver [http://euobserver.com/24/31734].

According to Mr. Rettman "The Russian-born 64-year-old, a former Belarusian interior minister, appeared on the EU radar in 2004 when a Council of Europe investigation said he was part of a "death squad" (together with another former official Dmitriy Pavlichenko) that murdered four dissidents. He no longer holds office. But a leaked US cable from 2007 reports that in 2006 he ran a company called Chyest which laundered $1.5 million a day of bribery and extortion money via banks in Poland, Russia and the US on behalf of the Lukashenko´s family."

Dictator Lukashenko has studiously pretended that no sanctions undermine his authority and threatened to retaliate. On February 7th, 2011 the dictator took a short-term one week vacation and went to Sochi - a city-resort in southern Russia.

However, even official statistics have to admit that 2010 was the worst in economic history of Belarus from the perspective of the trade deficit. The trade deficit for 2010 amounted to 9 billion 642.3 million dollars (in 2009 it was $7 billion 264.8 million).

At the end of this article I would like to remind my readers that On October 6, 2004

US Congress passed the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (H.R. 854) [http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h108-854]

sponsored by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) and others, to fund a broad range of measures to support democracy in Belarus. Although this is a beginning, the executive branch and Congress need to do more. Specifically, they should:

1. - Denounce publicly Lukashenko's violations of the constitution and electoral procedures, and the State Department should amplify its criticism of Belarus' flawed political system.

2. - Declare, with the EU, that the referendum, parliamentary and presidential elections are illegitimate if observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe find election falsification or other violations.

3. - Use domestic and international law enforcement agencies, such as Interpol, in cooperation with EU members, to coordinate criminal investigations into homicides, money laundering, and illegal arms trading linked to the Lukashenko´s regime.

4. - Investigate the disappearances of Lukashenko's political opponents, provided there is a jurisdictional nexus to the U.S. and/or Europe. Both the U.S. Justice Department and its European counterparts can do so. Moreover, Europe and the U.S. could initiate criminal proceedings against those in the president's circle who ordered and participated in the murder of opposition politicians and journalists.

5. - Seize assets of Lukashenka and his inner circle through criminal proceedings against illegal arms sales and money laundering operations if Belarus violated U.S. or international sanctions. The U.S. and EU would be entitled to enforce such sanctions even if the violations did not occur in America or Europe.

6. - Fund, together with the EU, an international broadcasting operation by opposition radio and television stations from countries around Belarus, and expand people-to-people and educational exchanges.

7. - Consult with Russia regarding possible political changes that would make Belarus more democratic and predictable. Such a coordinated effort would benefit Russia by making the transit route for Russian gas to Europe less prone to Lukashenko's interference and would eliminate the need for Russia to support the Belarusian economy with subsidized natural gas at a cost of over $2 billion per year.

Almost SEVEN(!) years have passed since the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 was adopted and stayed only on paper with NO or little actions. Meantime fascism is rising steadily in Belarus in the heart of Europe.

On January 2nd, 2011 the Human Rights Center Viasna (Spring) expressed its strong protest against the beginning of the terror campaign in Belarus towards dissidents and political opponents of the government with the following statement.

STATEMENT of Human Rights Center Viasna concerning Terror Campaign

towards opposition-minded people of Belarus

Starting from December 19th, 2010 the country was flooded with political repression. On December 30th, 2010 22 people who are kept in the KGB jail were formally charged under parts 1 and 2 of the Article 293 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (organization and participation in mass riot), including five presidential candidates: Uladimir Neklyaev, Andrey Sannikov, Nikolay Statkevich, Aleksey Mikhalevich, and Vitaliy Rymashevskiy. In addition to the presidential candidates, the charges were brought against the leaders of their campaign teams, journalists and other prominent opposition activists. The restraint in the form of two-month detention was chosen for all of them.

At least nine more people are also in the status of suspects in the criminal case on the riot, including two presidential candidates - Gregory Kostusev and Dmitriy Uss, as well as two citizens of the Russian Federation.

The Chairperson of the youth organization Young Front Dmitriy Dashkevich and its activist Eduard Lobov are still kept in the pre-trial prison in Minsk on suspicion of malignant hooliganism.

More than 200 people are still kept in prison, serving administrative arrests for participation in the protest rally in Minsk on December 19th, 2010 and the subsequent actions of solidarity with political prisoners. More than 700 people have been arrested or fined for last ten days. List of People Arrested on December 19th, 2010 in Minsk, Belarus: http://budurl.com/ArrestedOnDec19 [ in Belarusian language]

Human Rights Center Viasna is particularly concerned with information about the use of torture, psychological pressurization of detainees and the absence of medical care.

Starting from December 20th, 2010 mass searches and interrogations of activists of opposition political parties, civic organizations and independent media have began. Hundreds of opposition activists, representatives of independent civil society and journalists have been threatened and harassed by the KGB and the Interior Ministry.

Premises of human rights organizations were searched in Minsk and in the regions. The authorities are trying to discredit the activities of human rights defenders in the eyes of the society.

The lawyers who defend the accused in the criminal case concerning the mass riot are pressurized as well.

The Human Rights Center Viasna expresses its strong protest over the outbreak of the Belarusian authorities of the mass political repression in the country and declares:

the election of the President of the Republic of Belarus was not a free and democratic. The election results announced by the Central Election Commission in no way reflect the real will of the citizens of Belarus;

the protest rally against the undemocratic and non-free election was peaceful. The people who gathered in central Minsk, had peaceful purposes, and sought to peacefully express their opinions and protest;

The incident with the smashing of windows in the building of the House of Government was not prevented by law enforcement agencies. The demonstrative non-action of the Interior Ministry, a large number of whose workers were present on the Independence Square, points to an organized provocation by the authorities;

The actions of the police to disperse demonstrators were clearly disproportionate to the character of the action. The use of physical force and police gear led to a large number of beaten and wounded members of the peaceful protest;

The attack of security services in civilian clothes on the presidential candidate Uladimir Neklyaev and his supporters was clearly lawless and provocative;

The beating and arrest of virtually all presidential candidates, Aleksander Lukashenko´s opponents, is nothing but political violence;

The initiation of a criminal case under the part 1 and 2 of the Article 293 of the Criminal Code (mass riot) is used only for a long-term isolation of the leaders of the opposition pro-democracy movement, as well as for pressurizing and intimidating the country´s civil society, independent media and journalists, as well as all dissidents in the country;

The Human Rights Center Viasna demands the immediate release of all prisoners and cessation of repressions against opposition leaders and activists, civil society and independent media.

The Human Rights Center Viasna expresses solidarity with all those arrested for their views, their family members and encourages members of the Belarusian public and the international community to support the repressed people.

The Human Rights Centre Viasna urges the governments of the European Union, the United States and international organizations to condemn the repression and massive human rights violations in Belarus and to take all possible measures for their immediate cessation.

On December 22nd, 2010 one of the former presidential candidates Gregory Kostusev submitted a complaint (on 32 pages) to the Central Election Commission of Belarus to recognize the results of the presidential elections in the Republic of Belarus on Dec. 19, 2010 null and void.

On December 24th the Central Election Commission of Belarus rejected this complaint.

Here is a short version of this complaint: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208071

On January 4th, 2011 Gregory Kostusev has applied to the Supreme Court of Belarus with the request to review the results of the Central Election Commission concerning the acknowledgement of the presidential elections. His application includes the enumeration of the violations that were registered by observers, members of election commissions and electioneering agents of candidates.

"I have no hope for a fair verdict of the Supreme Court. May be they won´t even accept my application. Nevertheless, I am convinced that it was my duty to pass such application to the court," stated Gregory Kostusev.
---
---
Terror Campaign by Dictator Lukashenko in Belarus 2011:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/209531
---
A Peaceful Mass Protest is Transformed to Mass Riot Criminal Cases By Dictator Lukashenko:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208478
---
Newly Elected President of Belarus is Illegitimate Since 1999 (Arguments & Facts):
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208071
---
Dictator Lukashenko Declared a War Against People of Belarus on December 19th 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/206250
---
Presidential Pseudo-Elections in Belarus 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205940
---
Presidential Elections in Belarus Are Rigged & Falsified Even Before the Elections on December 19th!
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205422
---
Presidential Elections in Belarus 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/200486
---

Minsk, Belarus

The reason of the crackdown on the opposition leaders, activists and journalists was a peaceful mass protest rally on December 19, 2010 in Minsk. Belarusian citizens were outraged by the shocking fraud in the presidential election, with the help of which the Belarusian dictator Lukashenko tried to stay in power. [http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/206250] [http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208071]

It has been informed by "Viasna" (Spring) Human Rights Center that as of December 30th, 2010, 26 people have been joined to the officially so-called "mass riots" (or peaceful mass protest) criminal case in Minsk, Belarus.

23 out of them are kept in the KGB detention center, Gregory Kostusev and Dmitriy Uss have given a written undertaking to leave the place, Nikita Likhavid is to be taken from Zhodzino prison to the KGB detention center in the nearest time. The last on the list of suspects is Andrey Fedarkevich, who had been arrested for 10 days of administrative arrest and served the sentence in the temporary detention facility in Zhodzino, then was transferred to the KGB detention facility in Minsk. KGB officers are searching for Nikita Krasnov. A search was held in his apartment on December 27. In the search warrant it was written that the young activist was also "a suspect."

Almost nothing is known about the prisoners of the KGB jail. Lawyers have signed non-disclosure obligations. But even without that one can guess that rights of the arrested are violated. A lawyer of Uladimir Neklyaev, a presidential candidate, was allowed to visit him only after a week. Before that there was no information about whereabouts and state of health of the poet. Nothing is known about the state of health of Andrey Sannikov, a presidential candidate. He had been brutally beaten up, his leg was injured. Natallia Radzina, an editor of charter97.org, did not get any medical assistance. As the lawyer of the journalist informed, "She is still bleeding from her ears" from police beating.

On December 29 charges are to be brought against most suspects. The list of suspects in the "Mass riots" criminal case opened under Article 293 Parts 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code of Belarus [A note: Article 293. Mass riots. Part 1. Organizing of mass riots accompanied by violence against persons, pogroms, arsons, destruction of property, armed resistance to representatives of authorities, - is punished by deprivation of liberty for a term from 5 to 15 years. Part 2. Participation in mass riots, consisting in immediate participation in actions mentioned in the first part of this article is punished by deprivation of liberty for a term from 3 to 8 years.]:

1. Andrey Sannikov - a presidential candidate
2. Uladimir Neklyaev - a presidential candidate

3. Gregory Kostusev - a presidential candidate (under a written undertaking not to leave the place)

4. Aleksandr Atroshchenkov - a press-secretary of Andrey Sannikov´s campaign headquarters

5. Aleksey Mikhalevich - a presidential candidate

6. Vitaliy Rymashevskiy - a presidential candidate

7. Pavel Severinetz - an electioneering agent of the candidate Vitaliy Rymashevskiy

8. Dmitriy Bandarenko - a coordinator of "European Belarus" civil campaign

9. Irina Khalip - a journalist, Andrey Sannikov´s wife

10. Natallia Radzina - a journalist, an editor of charter97.org website

11. Anatoliy Lebedko - the chair of the United Civil Party

12. Anastasiya Palazhanko - a deputy chairperson of the "Young Front"

13. Andrey Dmitriev -Uladimir Neklyaev´s campaign manager

14. Aleksandr Feduta - a political analyst, one of coordinators of Uladimir Neklyaev´s election campaign team

15. Nikolay Statkevich - a presidential candidate

16. Aleksandr Klaskovskiy- a former police officer

17. Uladimir Kobets - a campaign manager of Andrey Sannikov

18. Dmitriy Uss - a presidential candidate (under a written undertaking not to leave the place)

19. Sergei Vaznyak - Uladimir Neklyaev´s electioneering agent

20. Oleg Korban - one of the leaders of the UCP youth organization, "Young Democrats"

21. Aleksandr Arastovich - Nikolai Statkevich´s electioneering agent

22. Anatoliy Pavlov - Yaroslav Ramanchuk´s electioneering agent

23. Sergei Martsalev - Nikolai Statkevich´s campaign manager

24. Dmitriy Novik - a participant of the protest rally on December 19

25. Nikita Likhovid - "For Freedom" movement activist, the decision to detain him for 15 days has been annulled. He is to be transferred from Zhodzina to the KGB detention center.

26. Andrey Fedorkevich - a participant of the protest rally on December 19, the decision to detain him for 10 days has been annulled. He has been transferred from Zhodzino to the KGB detention center.

Despite Christmas, Belarusian law-enforcement agencies keep raiding opposition offices and apartments of civil and political activists, adding to the increasing atmosphere of fear in the society. All over Belarus dozens of apartments and offices have been searched by the police and the KGB, including those of former presidential candidate Ales Mikhalevich´s wife, Charter ´97 editor Natallia Radzina´s mother, Iryna Khalip´s father and pro-democratic activist Viachaslav Sivchuk.
---
---
Terror Campaign by Dictator Lukashenko in Belarus 2011:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/209531
---
A Peaceful Mass Protest is Transformed to Mass Riot Criminal Cases By Dictator Lukashenko:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208478
---
Newly Elected President of Belarus is Illegitimate Since 1999 (Arguments & Facts):
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208071
---
Dictator Lukashenko Declared a War Against People of Belarus on December 19th 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/206250
---
Presidential Pseudo-Elections in Belarus 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205940
---
Presidential Elections in Belarus Are Rigged & Falsified Even Before the Elections on December 19th!
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205422
---
Presidential Elections in Belarus 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/200486

Minsk, Belarus

On December 22nd, 2010 one of the former presidential candidates Gregory Kostusev submitted a complaint (on 32 pages) to the Central Election Commission of Belarus to recognize the results of the presidential elections in the Republic of Belarus on Dec. 19, 2010 null and void. On December 24th the CEC of Belarus rejected this complaint.

Here is a short version of this complaint:

To the Central Commission of Belarus for Elections and National Referendums

To the General Prosecutor of the Republic of Belarus

Copies: to OSCE / ODIHR Election Observation 2010, CIS Observation Mission]

APPLICANTS:

Candidate for the President of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Neklyaev

Candidate for the President of the Republic of Belarus Gregory Kostusev

RATIONALE: on recognizing the election of the President of the Republic of Belarus 2010 null and void

Numerous documents attached to this complaint testify as the evidence of gross violations of Laws of the Republic of Belarus at all stages of the electoral process. These violations significantly influenced the preparation of presidential elections in Belarus, their conduct and the outcome of the vote.

The election campaign was held across Belarus with violations of national legislation and international standards - especially presidential elections did not meet the standards of the Copenhagen document of the CSCE (1990) [http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/1990/06/13992_en.pdf]

and the obligations of the Republic of Belarus in this field, which eventually led to a regular (2001, 2006) falsification of the results of the elections.

We are taking into account the time shortage for appeal (only during 3 days after December 19th, 2010) and the detention of the Candidate for the President of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Neklyaev on December 19th along with six other presidential candidates.

At this time we present detailed, but incomplete analysis of the major violations

of Belarusian Law, in connection with which the election of the President

Republic of Belarus in 2010 are considered to be invalid.

1. USURPATION OF POWER BY MR. LUKASHENKO AND HIS GOVERNMENT AND WITHHOLDING OF POWER BY UNCONSTITUTIONAL MEANS. ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION OF MR. LUKASHENKO IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 2010.

1.1. Trampling of the legislative framework of the electoral system of the Republic of Belarus by Mr. Lukashenko.

Finding Mr. Lukashenko in office till now without any restrictions made possible by the national referenda initiated and conducted by him and his government.

Referendums which established an unrestricted usurpation of power by Mr. Lukashenko were initiated and conducted in 1995, 1996 and 2004: in 1995 Belarussian historical (national) state symbols were replaced for the sake of the personal political and ideological principles of Mr. Lukashenko; in 1996 the main principle of separation of powers was abolished and without any elections his term in office was extended for two years; and in 2004 the constitutional limits on the tenure of the President of the Republic of Belarus were finally removed.

Due to the referendum of 1996, the results of which could only be recommended by law, the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus has been amended and changed, and the president's powers have been illegally additionally expanded and extended until 2001.

The appointment by Mr. Lukashenko of referendum 1995-1996 was based on his personal decrees and could be considered by international law as an usurpation of legislative power.

Special Commission of the Supreme Council of XIII-th Convocation on a legal assessment of violations by the President Lukashenko of the Constitution and Laws of the Republic Belarus, led by Viktor Gonchar, made a conclusion that his actions by holding a referendum in 1996 to change a Constitution was a CRIME, and according to the Article 61-1 of the Criminal Code (hereinafter - CC) of the Republic of Belarus (1960) was considered as "a conspiracy to seize the government". This parliamentary committee concluded that since July 20th, 1999, the presidency of Mr. Lukashenko lost its legitimacy.

The next step was the publication by Mr. Lukashenko on September 7, 2004, a decree %u2116 431 "About the Purpose of the Referendum 2004." As a result of this referendum the illegal changes were made to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus which lifted the restrictions on only two presidential terms at the office.

The referendum on Oct. 17, 2004 was carried out with gross violations of all

norms of the electoral law and democratic principles, outlined in the Copenhagen Document, supported by the Republic of Belarus. The results of the referendum were not recognized by democratic community of Belarus and international organizations (Council of Europe, PACE, European Union, OSCE, etc.).

The results of the referendum 2004, held in clear violation of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Belarus, should be null and void.

Actions of Mr. Lukashenko to initiate and conduct a referendum on removal of constitutional restrictions on staying in power for more than two terms fall under signs of crime, responsibility for which is provided in Part 3, Article 424, Article 357 and Part 2 of the Criminal Code (abuse of power with the purpose of unconstitutional holding).

In addition, the organization and conduct of referenda passed with egregious violations of the electoral and other laws of the Republic of Belarus.

Multiple belarussian citizens´ appeal to the prosecutor's office (in 2004, 2006 and subsequent years) with the demand to bring against Mr. Lukashenko criminal proceedings under Articles 357 and 424 of the Criminal Code were declined with no proper legal explanation.

On the eve of the elections 2006 discriminative legislative Benefits (Amendments to the Criminal Code, etc.) for the incumbent running for a new term were established. Shortly before the election campaign, Mr. Lukashenko legalized presidential decrees number 8, 11, 20, which tightened the legal framework for political parties, associations, creating limited opportunities for mass actions of opposition, mass protests.

In the legislative basis for the preparation and holding of presidential elections

2010 were made only such changes (amendments to the Electoral Code), which have left enduring legal framework for the system of rigged elections and the absolute dominance in the elections of only one candidate - the incumbent Mr. Lukashenko.

Thus, the seizure of state power, abuse of power and its retention in unconstitutional way still should be incriminated to Mr. Lukashenko. Since July 20th, 1999 Alexander Lukashenko is considered to be illegitimate president of Belarus.

1.2. Unlawful retention of power by illegitimate president Lukashenko is accompanied by methods of force and political repressions.

Mr. Lukashenko is suspected in involvement of political killings and disappearances in Belarus. In 1999-2000, his political opponents Yuriy Zakharenko, Victor Gonchar, Anatoliy Krasovskiy and Dmitriy Zavadskiy disappeared by force. In some documents of international organizations to these abductions, and perhaps, physical liquidation (executions without a trial) the involvement of Belarussian KGB (death squad) and higher officials of Belarus (V. Sheiman, J. Sivakov, Naumova, N. Vasilchenko, D. Pavlichenko, etc.) is documented.

The above actions for unlawful retention of power, are qualified according to the Part 3. of Article 357 of the Criminal Code (keeping state power by unconstitutional means, entailing the loss of life or associated with murder) and Article 128 of the Criminal Code (crimes against the security of mankind -the systematic abduction, followed by their disappearance, committed in connection with the political beliefs of the civilian population). According to the Article 128 there is no period of limitation for such crimes.

Mr. Lukashenko´s inaction and inability, as the head of state, to investigate the disappearances incur additional suspicions to his personal interest and, possibly,

involvement in these disappearances.

In addition, in the Republic of Belarus in recent years a number of unjust (in the opinion of the public) criminal proceedings took place in the result of which the political opponents of Lukashenko, in particular Candidate for President of Aleksander Kozulin, were sentenced to various kinds of penalties, including imprisonment during the presidential elections of 2006.

Multiple belarussian citizens´ appeal to the prosecutor's office (in 2004, 2006 and subsequent years) with the demand to bring against Mr. Lukashenko criminal proceedings under the Article 128 of the Criminal Code were declined with no proper legal explanation.

Thus, Mr. Lukashenko who is holding state power illegally resorts to repressive measures against political opponents, and is suspected to be involved in violent disappearance of some of them.

1.3. Mr. Lukashenko and his subordinate officers are using illegal detention authorities to rigg the results of the elections in Belarus 2010.

After the last presidential election in 2006, Mr. Lukashenko, who illegally took up the post of President of the Republic of Belarus has repeatedly directly admitted that he had instructed to falsify the results of elections. Such statements of Mr. Lukashenko require thorough analysis and legal evaluation by the prosecution system of Belarus and international authorities, because they contain information about the crime.

Conclusion number 1: All of the above suggests that Mr. Lukashenko who from July 20, 1999 is considered an illegitimate president of Belarus, usurp and retain power illegally, by lies, falsifications and repressions. The participation of Mr. Lukashenko in all previous presidential elections (except in 1994), and in the elections of 2010 is illegal.

The whole text of the complaint (in Russian language) is here:

http://naviny.by/rubrics/elections/2010/12/23/ic_articl

On December 1st, 2010 in Minsk in response to the release of polling data indicating that President Lukashenko have less than 50% support, and might therefore be forced into a second round run-off, the Chair of the Central Election Commission, Lidia Yermoshina said "Why do you think that it will be a two-round election? I am positive I will celebrate New Year at home."

Mr. Lukashenko, why you cannot return belarussians free elections? What are you afraid of? Prevailing over nine opponents who have no media access, no money, no mansions in their possession, no multi-billion dollar accounts abroad, seems easy enough even without cheating. Please, tell us, why do you need to cheat belarussians for so many years?

1994? 2001? 2006?

To cheat, to steal, to kill. Why? Why, Mr. Grinch?

You're a monster, Mr. Grinch.

Your heart's an empty hole.

Your brain is full of spiders,

You've got garlic in your soul.

Mr. Grinch.

On December 20th it was announced officially, that Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko won re-election with almost 80% of the vote on Sunday. What a surprise! The opposition, though, was accusing the government of massive fraud. How come? Tens of thousands protesters in Minsk were savagely beaten and seven opposition candidates have been arrested. Their whereabouts is unknown to the public till now.

One can only speculate to what extent the election was rigged. Usually for Lukashenko is about +40% illegitimate votes. You can read more about a special Belarussian "Ballot-Box X-mas Stuffing" here: http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/view/205940

That´s why the opposition, was accusing the government of massive fraud on Sunday night of December 19th demanding elections without Lukashenko. Opposition candidates were asking simple questions.

Why people known for falsifying the election results in 2001 and 2006 have remained in charge of counting the votes in 2010? Including the Chair of the Central Election Commision, Lidia Yermoshina. Do they belong to a particular Lukashenko´s mafia circle? Mr. & Mrs. Grinch, why out of the 240 complaints lodged by candidates and their authorized representatives, and by other participants of the electoral process, only 3 were satisfied? Why Mobile networks in Belarus have been crippled, independent media sites have been attacked, and key internet sites such as Facebook and Gmail have all been blocked on December 19-20, 2010?

The answer is Mr.Lukashenko-Grinch got scared on December 19th, 2010 when he had learnt that only 38% of votes were coming his way. Inside his criminal mind it was a dead end for him and his regime%u2026

You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch.

You're the king of sinful sots.

Your heart's a dead tomato splotched

With moldy purple spots,

Mr. Grinch.

Apparently showing no qualms about the mass arrests at night of December 20th, Lukashenko announced with a smile at a news conference that 639 protestors were being held in Minsk detention facilities. Hundreds of detainees stand closed-door trials. Belarusian law-enforcement authorities instituted criminal proceedings into the riots according to Article 293 of the Penal Code of Belarus. The article stipulates up to 15 years of imprisonment for former candidates for the presidency. What a surprise, Mr. Lukashenko-Grinch, what a surprise!

Why so many protesters were held for 10-15 days, Mr. Grinch? Why?

According to CEC secretary Nikolai Lozovik, former presidential candidates may file a complain about not recognizing the results of the elections no later than the third day after the elections (till December 23rd), and personally. In addition, the applicants may appeal the decision of the Central Election Commission in the Supreme Court within ten days (till December 29th). "I think it is unlikely we will receive any complaints this time" - suggested Lozovik. No wonder!

"Early signs indicate that Lukashenko and his cronies are up to their old tricks," says Freedom House Executive Director David J. Kramer. "Attacks on Internet and mobile network sites suggest an effort to conceal fraud at the polls. The thuggish behavior by authorities in dealing with protestors deserves immediate condemnation. Democratic forces around the world should be standing with those thousands of brave people in October Square protesting Lukashenko's effort to stay in power no matter what."

"This election failed to give Belarus the new start it needed. The counting process lacked transparency. The people of Belarus deserved better," said Tony Lloyd, one of the OSCE mission leaders.

The U.S. Embassy said that Washington "strongly condemns all election day violence in Belarus." German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that "it's not acceptable to harass, beat or arrest opposition candidates and their supporters who want to exert their right to freedom of expression." Poland's Foreign Ministry also condemned the crackdown.

"At this moment I don't know where my husband is," Neklyaev's wife told reporters. "I couldn't imagine that: They took him right from an emergency care unit as I was watching."

Also Andrey Sannikov and his wife Irina were arrested, who were among those beaten outside the government building. Sannikov was the next-highest vote getter after Lukashenko, tallying 2.5%, according to official figures.

The human-rights center Vesna said courts on Monday, December 20th, began sentencing many of the arrested to jail terms of 5 to 15 days. Interior Ministry spokesman Anatoly Kuleshov said organizers of mass disturbances could face up to 15 years in prison.

The latest revelations from U.S. diplomatic cables leaked by the WikiLeaks website describe the government in Belarus as a "criminal regime of a violent and authoritarian nature."

Cables written by U.S. diplomats in Minsk in 2007 and 2008 describe Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko as a "dictator" and a "peasant turned ideology officer" whose Soviet upbringing has led him to believe "the state rules the people."

The cables say: "As a former Soviet army political officer, the dictator understands the use of ideology as a veneer to mask the true intentions of one's actions."

"Lawlessness, dictatorship - what else can you call this?" said Natalia Pohodnya, waiting in the snow outside a Minsk jail where her son was being held after participating in a demonstration. "They are beating our kids!"

Official Results of the Belarus elections 2010: http://vybory2010.by

Lukashenko - 79.76%

Sannikov - 2.44%

Neklyaev - 1.77%

Romanchuk - 1.97%

Rymashevskiy - 1.10%

Statkevich - 1.04%

Tereshenko - 1.08%

Michalevich - 1.02%

Kostusev - 1.97%

Uss - 0.48%

Against all: 6.47%

Unofficial exit-pools results:

Lukashenko - 38.1%

Sannikov - 11.6%

Neklyaev - 11.7%

Romanchuk - 9.9%

Rymashevskiy - 1.1%

Statkevich - 3.8%

Tereshenko - 0.7%

Michalevich - 1.8%

Kostusev - 2.4%

Uss - 0.5%

Against All: 9%

So, this is what we have in reality:

Lukashenko - 38%, other candidates - 42% (less than 50% on all sides)

Common sense verdict - SECOND RUN-OFF of the elections for Mr. Grinch!

And, by the way, the Chair of the Central Election Commision, Lidia Yermoshina, please prove us wrong and do RE-COUNT of ballots this week!

Mr. Grinch & Mrs. Grinch, the whole world and you know that real ballots do not exist any more. So, there´s nothing to re-count in Minsk, Belarus on X-mas eve 2010.

---
---
Terror Campaign by Dictator Lukashenko in Belarus 2011:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/209531
---
A Peaceful Mass Protest is Transformed to Mass Riot Criminal Cases By Dictator Lukashenko:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208478
---
Newly Elected President of Belarus is Illegitimate Since 1999 (Arguments & Facts):
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208071
---
Dictator Lukashenko Declared a War Against People of Belarus on December 19th 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/206250
---
Presidential Pseudo-Elections in Belarus 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205940
---
Presidential Elections in Belarus Are Rigged & Falsified Even Before the Elections on December 19th!
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205422
---
Presidential Elections in Belarus 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/200486
---

After 16 years in office, illegitimate President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko appeared headed for another five-year term in a controversial election Sunday, December 19th, 2010, that was quickly followed by violent late-night street clashes and accusations of vote fraud from human rights groups and opposition presidential candidates.

Final results announced by the State's Central Election Commission indicated that Lukashenko received 79.7% of the vote, after 100% was counted. Nevertheless, exit-polls' data, conducted by EcooM experts, show that only 72% of people have voted for the current head of state. The second place has been given to Andrey Sannikov, followed by Vladimir Neklyaev (4-5% of the vote).

Moreover, and what is interesting and, probably, close to real results of the elections is the exit-polls by TNS Ukraine which indicates that only about 40% of Belarusians voted for Lukashenko.

According to TNS, Alexander Lukashenko, in the first round of the presidential elections in Belarus, gained less than 50% of votes. By the way, TNS Ukraine is officially registered by the Belarusian Central Election Commission. And according to TNS Ukraine, Lukashenka has got 42% of votes, followed by opposition candidate Vladimir Neklyaev with 17%, followed by Andrey Sannikov with 13% of votes.

There is no surprise that another presidential elections in Belarus has evolved along with the old scenario; the voting was forged, once again the opposition was not allowed to take part in vote counting, observers witnessed numerous violations, many voters were forced by officials to take part in the pre-election, the candidates for President had no access to the television and other media - just like during the last 16 years.

To raise a protest against the fraud, six oppositional candidates for President - Andrey Sannikov, Vladimir Neklayev, Grigoriy Kostusev, Yaroslav Romanchuk, Vitaliy Rymashevskiy and Nikolay Statkevich - called upon people to come to October Square in Minsk on December 19th at 8:00 pm.

At 8:40 pm thousands gathered in the square. Just before that it was announced that the headquarters of Vladimir Neklayev were seized by the special police forces. Activists of Neklayev´s campaign were supposed to bring loudspeakers to the square, but special police units seized the vehicle with the equipment. Everyone was forced to lie down facing the ground. The candidate himself was beaten up and driven away in an ambulance. The equipment was confiscated.

Nevertheless, several loudspeakers reached the square, where candidates for President - Andreiy Sannikov, Nikolay Statkevich, Vitaliy Rymashevskiy, Grigoriy Kostusiov, Yaroslav Romanchuk, and Dmitriy Uss - had arrived. The candidates addressed tens of thousands of people who had gathered there, and announced that according to independent exit-polls, Lukashenko had got only 31% in the entire country. He lost the election and the second round was to be expected.

"If there is no second round, then Lukashenko is indeed a tyrant and dictator," Sergei Kalyakin, the head of the campaign "For Faire Election" said. Furthermore, he described the fraud taking place during the voting and claimed the election to be another farce.

October Square was entirely filled with people. Even the skating ring deliberately arranged to cover nearly the entire square did not stop the demonstrators - they were standing on the ice. People were chanting "Lukashenko, Go Away!", "We demand free election!", "New election without Lukashenko!"

Candidate for President Andrey Sannikov announced the collapse of Lukashenko´s regime and declared a newly established Government of National Rescue. The Government of National Rescue would include the democratic candidates for President who had come to the square.

The candidates claimed that another, free election - this time without Lukashenko - must be negotiated with the government. Those who had gathered on the square started moving along the Independence Avenue towards the Independence Square.

Tens of thousands of Belarusians filled the avenue, both the road and the pavement. The crowd demanded new and free election, and their slogans were heard all over the city center. Drivers left their cars and joined the rally. The demonstrators called their friends´ cell phones and urged them to come to the square, to raise the protest, not to be afraid.

Loudspeakers were installed on the Independence Square, and on behalf of all the candidates for the President who were there (at that moment, all candidates who claimed their protest were there, apart from Yaroslav Romanchuk), Andrey Sannikov announced that the Government of National Rescue was ready to negotiate with the authorities.

The candidates for President demanded to be let in to the Government building in order to hold a peaceful talks.

At that time, the demonstrators moved to decisive actions. Hundreds of strong men approached the entrance to the Government building and knocked to the doors. The windows shattered revealing%u2026 closets! The doors of the House of Government were barricaded from the people. The closets were dammed up by special police units.

During 20 minutes the demonstrators tried to throw down the closets and enter the building. Slogans "Lukashenko, Go away!" and "We want talks!" were heard from the square.

Meanwhile, hundreds of fully equipped soldiers of special interior forces ran out from the left wing of the Government building. They had military boots, helmets and shields. The soldiers attacked the people and started to beat them up. The demonstrators were falling down on the ice. They were trampled and kicked. There, under the feet of special police units, was charter97.org editor Natalia Radzina. The police were beating her up and kicking her in her head, until someone from the crowd dragged her from under their feet.

According to witnesses, the police were holding electroshockers. Moreover, unknown gas was used against the demonstrators. All that made people move away from the entrance to the Government building, but nobody left the square.

The people remained standing on the square chanting "We want talks!" It was announced then that the talks would be held. The candidates approached the House of Government; high military officials who had just arrived to the square were heading the same way.

And at that moment, when the negotiations were already on (!), thousands (!) of soldiers of special forces ran out from behind the building and started to beat up the demonstrators. Ten military trucks drove out to the square; hundreds of people were beaten up and "packed" to the trucks.

Shortly after that, candidate for President Andrey Sannikov was pushed on the ground and beaten up. When he and his wife were about to drive to the hospital, their car was stopped. Sannikov was dragged ouside, beaten up once again and driven away. His wife Irina Khalip was pushed to another car; the police beat her head against glass.

Meanwhile, the Independence Square was surrounded by trucks with the military. Soldiers equipped with body armor and helmets formed a chain preventing people from approaching the House of Government, while special police units were beating up and detaining the demonstrators.

After that the special forces blocked all avenues so that nobody could walk out to the street again.

According to human rights activists, from 200 to 500 people were detained. They were taken to the special distribution station on Okrestina Street and to the temporary prison of Zhodino. Candidates for President Kostusev, Statkevich and Rymashevsky were arrested after the rally, along with Andrey Sannikov. Natalia Koliada, the head of the Belarusian Free Theater, was also arrested. Head of the human rights service of the civil initiative European Belarus Lidia Chistova is at the hospital with a cranio-cerebral trauma. Hundreds of people were assaulted; some of them were taken to the hospital of Interior Ministry with cranio-cerebral traumas and smashed heads.

Information about arrests and detentions was coming during the whole night of December 20th, 2010. Special Forces officials in civil uniforms took Vladimir Neklayev right from the hospital bed. Leader of the United Civil Party Anatoliy Lebedko was detained at his home.

The Belarusians were again urged to come out to the Independence Square on December 20th, at 6:00 pm. "We will not leave! We must fight for our freedom and our choice!" claimed the opposition leaders. Now we must fight for the liberation of the candidates for President, whom the people of Belarus have given their votes.

Also during the suppress of the demonstration against the falsifications in Minsk in the evening on December 19th, 2010 various journalists were beaten up.

Injured in different scale where the journalists: Natalia Radina (charter97.org), Ruslan Gorbachev (gazeta.by), Viktor Tolochko (BelTA), Ales Piletsky («Nasha Niva»), John Hill (The New York Times)

Irina Khalip, correspondent of the Russian newspaper «Novaya Gazeta», wife of the candidate to the presidency of Belarus Andrey Sannikov, was detained. About 500 people were arrested that night.

The special forces where beating us at heads. If someone woudn't have taken me away from their boots - they would have definitely killed me. It seems I have a concussion, but I've got to continue working», told BelaPAN the editor of charter97.org Natalia Radina.

There is a report that several cameramen from the Russia Today TV Channel Anton Kharchenko and Viktor Filiaev, photographer Andrey Lenkevich are injured. Correspondents of the web-portal tut.by Konstantin Lashkevich and photocorrespondent of «BelGazeta» Vadim Zamirovsky are detained.

Non-Free Non-Fair Presidential Elections 2010 Confirmed Belarus as the Last Dictatorship in Europe.

"Master of the presidential elections in Belarus is the Chairman of the Local Election Commission."

Aleksander Lukashenko, 2006

"Only people of Belarus decide who is the next President."

Aleksander Lukashenko, 2010

There are four main ways of rigging the presidential elections in Belarus. All of them were used in presidential elections of 2001 and 2006.

The first way is called "Ballot-Box Stuffing". This way is commonly used during early voting. This year presidential early voting in Belarus takes the whole week from December 13th up to December 18th, 2010. For six days (and nights) any Chairman of the Local Election Commission´s helpers can stuff the boxes with as many ballots as they need. Probably, about 75% for Mr. Lukashenko. This is how many votes he wants to get this year, right?

How it may happen in practice you may ask? Easy! For example, in one ballot box is thrown 100 ballots with votes for 10 different candidates, and from the box poured 600 ballots with votes for only ONE candidate - the right one. Make a wild guess what is the name of the right candidate this year? It is no secret that ballot-boxes may have a false bottom. Belarus is widely used old-fashioned ballot-boxes with so many ways of unscrewing them and screwing votes. How Lukashenko can get 75% of votes without any magic tricks at his hands?

Moreover, according to some sources back in 2006 every Chairmen of the Local Election Commissions who provided the correct amount of votes for the correct candidate were rewarded with $3000 bonuses. Those who could not provide the correct amount of votes were fired later on.

The second way of stuffing boxes with the correct candidate ballots is happening outside of the polling stations. For example, when somebody got sick and cannot go to the stations, members of the Election Commissions can visit those people at home without being watched by observers. Nice chance for some votes adjustments.

But the most popular is the third way! Again this way is commonly used during early voting and it has a long name - "Stimulated early voting among citizen of certain categories - students, soldiers, workers of state enterprises." This type of the early voting is enforced in Belarus by the government. Students, soldiers, militia, doctors, patiens, workers are ENFORCED to vote only for ONE candidate - the right one - and report about their voting to the chain of command. That´s why MOST of the early voting numbers are unified in the direction of only one candidate - Lukashenko. If students disagree they can be kicked out of state dorms, if workers disagree they can lose their jobs. Voting against Lukashenko is PUNISHABLE (by Law?) in Belarus!

The fourth way of fraud is called "The Chairman´s Way". Remember how much money chairmen can get in exchange for the right results of voting? This way is the most sneaky one when the chairman of the local commission announce his figures in advance even without counting the ballots. How it works you may ask? Easy! Two identical sets of ballots are produced. Some of them are stored in a separate room of a Chairman. And the second set - the actual set - is stored in a completely different place ( or, maybe, just thrown away!). So even the right demand for a recount would not help! Because there is NOTHING to recount. Real ballots are disappearing in thin air. Just one more Lukashenko´s magic trick%u2026

There is no surprise that this year voting in Belarus beats records of the year 2006 (now I hope you know why). The Central Elections Commission (CEC) ignores observers´ complaints at ENFORCED early voting.

About 12% of the voters on electoral registers have taken part in early voting in Belarus during three days, Interfax-Zapad news agency learnt from CEC spokesman Nikolay Lozovik.

"11.7% of the voters, or 820,000 people, went to polls during three days of early voting," Lozovik said.

He specified that the turnout in the Brest region was 10%, in the Vitebsk region - over 15%, in Gomel region - 10.6%, in Grodno region - 13.7%, in Minsk region - 10.6%, in Mogilev region - 14.3%, in Minsk - 9%.

According to the CEC spokesman, "There were no significant complaints at the electoral process during the early voting. We have only a few complaints from internal observers. As a rule, these complaints are not based on legislative requirements. These complaints evoke from interpretation of the norms of the law in one´s own way and expecting the same interpretation from election commissions."

There is no doubt that the Chairmen of the Local Election Commissions know real well how to INTERPRETE the law to achieve 75% for a new (old) president. Hope those interpretations are not criminal ones.

So, the case is closed? Or, it will be re-opened on December 19th?

We´ll see.
---
---
Terror Campaign by Dictator Lukashenko in Belarus 2011:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/209531
---
A Peaceful Mass Protest is Transformed to Mass Riot Criminal Cases By Dictator Lukashenko:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208478
---
Newly Elected President of Belarus is Illegitimate Since 1999 (Arguments & Facts):
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208071
---
Dictator Lukashenko Declared a War Against People of Belarus on December 19th 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/206250
---
Presidential Pseudo-Elections in Belarus 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205940
---
Presidential Elections in Belarus Are Rigged & Falsified Even Before the Elections on December 19th!
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205422
---

On December 15th, 2010 in Minsk Andrey Sannikov, a candidate for presidency, has lodged two legal applications to the Central Election Commission of Belarus with a demand to withdraw registration of Aleksandr Lukashenko as a presidential candidate, and to relieve from the office the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Lidiya Yermoshyna.

Under the Law Yermoshyna cannot be the Chair of the Central Election Commission, in the same way as Lukashenko cannot be a candidate for presidency.

It is reminded in the statements of the candidate for presidency Andrey Sannikov, that on December 6-7, 2010 in the Palace of Republic in Minsk a so-called "All-Belarusian People´s Congress" was held.

This propagandistic event was organized in the period of the election campaign, and became a platform for almost 3 hour-long speech of one of the candidates for presidency, Lukashenko. This speech was broadcasted by all state-run TV channels, by radio, and was also published in all state-run newspapers. The other presidential candidates never had a chance like that. State-run TV stations, radio and newspapers are keeping silence about them...

Thus, a prescribed limit of air time for each presidential candidate (two times by 30 minutes) was exceeded, and the additional space in state newspapers was used illegally.

Besides, this event was held in the Palace of Republic, which is not on the list created by Minsk City Executive Committee including premises where meetings of presidential candidates with voters could be held. Second violation of the Law.

The meeting was held with the use of the administrative leverage of the executive power headed by Lukashenko. In particular, the organizing committee was headed by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sergei Sidorskiy, and the event was financed at the expense of budget money, and not from the electoral fund of the presidential candidate. Third violation of the Law.

As long as Lidiya Yermoshyna has taken part in the "All-Belarusian Congress", Andrey Sannikov demands to relieve her from office.

"European Belarus" leader reminds that sanctions of the European Union are in force against citizen Yermoshyna for rigging the results of the previous election and republican referendum. Yermoshyna herself has stated many times herself, that she is a member of Lukashenka´s team, which is inadmissible and illegal. Yermoshina should take independent position. Fourth violation of the Law.

"Rigging the election results is a grave crime, which distorts will expression of the nation. Belarusian citizens not only have a right to fight with the electoral fraud, but must stand against criminal falsifiers in every way. Under the Law Yermoshyna cannot be the chair of the Central Election Commission, in the same way as Lukashenko cannot be a candidate for presidency.

Yarmoshyna stated that she is a member of Lukashenko´s team, thus excluding any objectivity in actions of the CEC. But it was not enough, and during her working hours she went to the illegal "All-People´s Congress" support her candidate. Lukashenko used dozens millions dollars from the budget to hold the event in his support on October Square. According to the official reports, at the moment of holding this congress his electoral fund had about 13 million Belorussian roubles. It is clear that the "All-Belarusian Congress" was held not out of the electoral fund of the candidate for presidency Lukashenko, as it is required by the law. This is FIFTH VIOLATION of the LAW! Once again as always Lukashenko slipped his hand into the pocket of Belarusians for his mercenary ends. Both Yermoshyna and Lukashenko have confirmed once again that Belarusians must change this corrupt regime quickly," a candidate for presidency in Belarus Andrey Sannikov stated.

"A free and democratic election can really take place if two these characters mentioned above would leave the stage. Their participation makes the upcoming election illegal. It is simply an insult for the Belarusian nation, which deserves a better lot.

We, Belarusian citizens, under the Constitution have a right to change authorities and freely elect our leaders. Even in today´s Constitution formalizes the principle of priority of the international law over the internal one, and international law does not allow fraudulent elections. The law is on our side in these elections. People are waiting for changes, as they had never been waiting for them in the last 16 years of the dictatorship. And it means that we have a chance to celebrate the New Year in a completely different, democratic Belarus," - ended his speech Andrey Sannikov.
---
---
Terror Campaign by Dictator Lukashenko in Belarus 2011:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/209531
---
A Peaceful Mass Protest is Transformed to Mass Riot Criminal Cases By Dictator Lukashenko:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208478
---
Newly Elected President of Belarus is Illegitimate Since 1999 (Arguments & Facts):
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208071
---
Dictator Lukashenko Declared a War Against People of Belarus on December 19th 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/206250
---
Presidential Pseudo-Elections in Belarus 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205940
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Presidential Elections in Belarus Are Rigged & Falsified Even Before the Elections on December 19th!
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205422
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On November 18th, 2010 in Minsk The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus has registered 10 people as candidates for the Belarus presidency. They are Gregory Kostusev, Alexander Lukashenko, Aleksei Mikhalevich, Vladimir Nekliaev, Yaroslav Romanchuk, Vitaly Rymashevsky, Andrei Sannikov, Nikolai Statkevich, Viktor Tereshchenko, and Dmitry Uss.

To be successfully nominated as a presidential candidate a person must be a citizen of the Republic of Belarus by birth aged 35 or older. The candidate should be eligible to vote and permanently live in the Republic of Belarus for at least ten years before the elections. He should have no record of convictions.

Candidates are nominated by citizens of the Republic of Belarus. Candidates must obtain at least 100 thousand signatures of voters before the registration and nomination. The CEC has recognized as valid 100870 signatures collected in support of the nomination of Kostusev; 1110149 - Lukashenko; 111399 - Mikhalevich, 180073 - Neklyaev; 123206 - Romanchuk, 102817 - Rymashevsky; 142023 - Sannikov; 111159 - Statkevich, 109012 - Tereshchenko; 104102 - Uss.

Upon receiving the registration card each candidate had a chance to say a few words.

According to Gregory Kostusev: "There are many important things to evaluate the free and fair election campaign. I do not think that this campaign is liberal: there is no freedom of speech, no freedom of agitation, for meetings with voters awkward and uncomfortable places are given by CEC, and there is a very low level of the inclusion of opposition to the electoral commissions. Only 0.25% out of 70815 people".

"The system of today's government is rotten, and it should be changed. Today's government must acknowledge, that it is cheating people since 1996. Alexander Lukashenko can not run for the president for the fourth time. He is illegitimate candidate, "- said at the meeting Pavel Sevyarynets (the representative of Vitaly Rymashevsky). Andrei Sannikov said: "Our country is called the last dictatorship in Europe. It is a shame for our country. But this is true. "

Presidential candidates should start pre-electoral campaigning on November 19. They have a month to convince the voters their candidatures are the best. While live debates among candidates will be broadcast for the first time, analysts doubt whether the elections will truly be free and fair because for the state-run mass media the election is still a minor event. Only brief official reports of the BelTA (Official State Information Agency) related to the election are replicated.

For the first time during the whole election campaign, the regional print media gave the list of persons who may become presidential candidates. Publications on socio-political topics are dominated by preparation for the All-Belarusian Assembly and there is nothing about presidential elections and its main candidates.

Most of the regional state-owned newspapers printed the BelTA material "Opposition Candidate Has No Chances to Win Presidential Election in Belarus - Sociological Poll". The article presents the data of a sociological polling conducted by the Analytical Centre EcooM (in October 2010). According to EcooM, 81 percent of respondents believe that the opposition cannot win the election and there are no worthy candidates among them; while 82.6 percent of the respondents do not trust the opposition.

Belarus will hold the presidential election on December 19th, 2010. To win election, a candidate must poll over 50% of the valid vote, and turnout must be at least 50%. If no candidate receives more than 50% in a first round vote, a second round is held within two weeks between the two candidates who placed highest in the first round. The President is considered elected in the second round if he has polled over 50% of votes of the electors, who have taken part in elections.
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Terror Campaign by Dictator Lukashenko in Belarus 2011:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/209531
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A Peaceful Mass Protest is Transformed to Mass Riot Criminal Cases By Dictator Lukashenko:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208478
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Newly Elected President of Belarus is Illegitimate Since 1999 (Arguments & Facts):
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208071
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Dictator Lukashenko Declared a War Against People of Belarus on December 19th 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/206250
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Presidential Pseudo-Elections in Belarus 2010:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205940
---
Presidential Elections in Belarus Are Rigged & Falsified Even Before the Elections on December 19th!
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205422
---

Oleg Bebenin was one of the founders and leaders of Charter97.org website.

The body of Oleg Bebenin was found on September 3rd, 2010 at 5.30 p.m. in his summer cottage not far from Minsk. It has turned out that during the initial inspection of the body a constriction mark was found on the neck of Bebenin, which can be a sign of both a suicide and of a violent death by suffocation or strangulation.

Oleg Bebenin was born in 1974. He graduated from the Belarusian State University, department of journalism. In 1990s he occupied the position of the Deputy Chief Editor of "Imya" (Name), an independent Belarusian newspaper. Since 1998 he was the Founder and the Head of charter97.org website. Oleg Bebenin had a wife and two sons.

A Russian TV channel "Vesti" believes that investigators have made a statement about Oleg Bebenin´s suicide too quickly.

As is reported in "Vesti Nedeli" programme on Sunday, on September 3 in the evening an oppositional journalist Oleg Bebenin was found dead in his summer house in the outskirts of Minsk. He was an audacious critic of Lukashenko and his regime and an active participant of "Charter´97". He was just 36.

It was very quickly stated by investigation agencies that it had been a suicide. The journalist reportedly hanged himself. However neither his family nor acquaintances believe this version and speak about a murder. Oleg Bebenin had vast plans, and he had not left a suicide note. Besides, the journalist was conducting investigation of activities of the so-called "death squadrons" and mysterious disappearances of Belarusian politicians. Meanwhile, the date of the presidential election is to be announced in Belarus soon.

Andrey Sannikov, the leader of "European Belarus" and possible opposition presidential candidate states that the death of the Founder and the Leader of Charter97.org website raises many doubts:
"On request of the family we have withheld information before the results of medico-legal investigation. I visited the site of the tragedy and I must say that I do not believe in suicide of Oleg Bebenin. Many things rise serious doubts. A note has not been found, the latest SMS received by his friends show he planned to go to the cinema on Thursday evening. A week ago Oleg and his family returned from a holiday in Greece. It is strange that the Interior Affairs Ministry is already disseminating the story about his suicide, without waiting for the results of the medico-legal investigation."

"We had extensive plans, we met every day. Oleg is my friend; he is the main member of my team, a brilliant journalist and a very reliable person. I offer my sincere condolences to his wife, parents and all his relatives" - Andrey Sannikov said.

Dmitriy Bondarenko, Charter´97 Coordinator, has commented on the official results of examination of the circumstances surrounding the death of Oleg Bebenin:
"I would like to say that Oleg was not simply a journalist. In a possible Belarusian presidential campaign he was to become one of the leaders of the headquarters of the oppositional candidate for presidency Andrey Sannikov. And all of a sudden the person commits suicide. There is no motive for such behaviour. There is no suicide note, there are no problems at work, he has a dearly loved wife, sons, parents, a brother. The man collects his friends for a premiere screening of a film. The SMS which is known to be the last sent by him was about his coming to "October" cinema at 8 p.m. And then again, all of a sudden the person disappears for about 24 hours, not answering phone calls.

There is a wide gap between the time of death indicated by experts, and it is recorded in the documents. Policemen and workers of prosecutor´s office, including a forensic expert, who arrived to the summer house yesterday, documented that the death occurred around 2 p.m. on September 3. In the certificate of death issued to the family the date of death was the 2nd of September. That means, the gap is more than 15 hours.

Oleg cherished his little son. He was found in a noose made of a rope from a child´s hammock. Such thing is simply impossible. People, who saw Oleg on the day before, said that he was cheerful and energetic, and planned to go to the cinema. He said to his family that he planned some meeting during afternoon on the 2nd of September. We are still trying to find out whom he was to meet and whether they met.

As for the results of the expert examination: in fact, the results of the biochemical analysis of tissues, body organs and humors are to become known only by Wednesday (September 8, 2010). There are lots of other circumstances which make us doubt that Oleg departed out of this world of his own free will," Dmitriy Bondarenko said.

A British Human Rights Organization "Index on Censorship" has raised concerns over the death of one of the leading journalists of Belarus.

As one of the leading lights of Human Rights Organization Charter97, Bebenin had been harassed by the authorities on numerous occasions. In April 1997 he was abducted, reportedly by the KGB, and in September 1999, he was nearly beaten to death by fascist thugs with links to the belarussian KGB. Bebenin ran the charter97.org website, which is the leading source of information on the activities of the Belarussian dictatorship in the country. It comes just 2 months after the implementation of Decree No. 60 - a draconian law that strictly regulates the use of the internet in Belarus.

Mike Harris, the Public Affairs Manager of Index on Censorship, who is in Belarus now said:
"People in Minsk are very nervous, especially those close to Oleg. No suicide note was found, and Oleg just hours before his death had made phone calls to arrange a trip to the cinema with close friends. In recent months he had become increasingly concerned over the safety of fellow human rights activists and feared a repeat of the period 97-99 where he was nearly killed, and scores of dissidents disappeared in suspicious circumstances.
The Presidential election must take place before February next year. So called "president" Lukashenko is tightening the screw on human rights organizations, with arrests and mock executions of youth activists. This "suicide" has sent shock waves through civic society across Belarus," added the British human rights activist.

The Russian media is reporting that the death is likely to have been under the orders of the security services.

In the last year, Charter97 has faced continual intimidation from the authorities. On 6 December 2009, Eugene Afnagel, a youth leader, was kidnapped on the streets of Minsk and taken to the countryside to face a mock execution. Afnagel was told to stop asking questions of the authorities. During summer time of 2010 six youth leaders were subject to kidnappings and mock executions.

On 16 of March, 2010 computers were confiscated in the news office of charter97.org website as part of an indictment in a criminal libel case brought by a former KGB officer.

Recently attention of the KGB and the Interior Affairs Ministry of Belarus was locked on Charter´97. In spring a search was held in its news office and in the apartment of a journalist Iryna Khalip and Andrey Sannikov. Editor-in-chief Natalya Radzina was hit on the face during the search, she told then. The reason for the search was materials of the website about illegal rare animals hunting carried out by high-ranking workers of the Interior Affairs Ministry.

European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek stated on learning of the death of Belarusian journalist - Oleg Bebenin:
"I am deeply moved by this sad event in Belarus. Oleg was working to create a more democratic Belarus through his work with Charter97. I call on the Belarusian authorities to carry out a full and transparent investigation into the death of Oleg Bebenin which will clarify all the circumstances around his tragic death. Our thoughts are with Mr Bebenin's friends and family."

On September, 6 the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) sent a letter to the names of Aleksandr Lukashenko, Head of Interior Ministry Anatoliy Kulyashov and General Prosecutor Grigoriy Vasilevich.

"We are extremely concerned about the atmosphere of fear and intimidation of journalists in Belarus and call upon the authorities of the country to do everything possible to ensure a profound investigation of the case of the death of a journalist Oleg Bebenin and to stop the practice of impunity for those who attacks journalists", - the letters signed by Aidan White, the General Secretary of the European Federation of journalists, say.

Besides suspicious circumstances of Oleg Bebenin´s death, EFJ mentions in its letters the threats, which Chef Editor of "Narodnaya Volya" Svetlana Kalinkina received. "We pay your special attention to the fact, that previous loud cases concerning deaths of Belarusian journalists, did not give any clear answers about their fate. Alongside with it are the cases of Dmitriy Zavadskiy, who disappeared on his way to the Minsk airport on July, 7, 2000, and Veranika Cherkasava, who was brutally slain in her apartment on October, 20, 2004", - EFJ letters say.

In the meanwhile the problem of involuntary disappearance is topical for Belarus. In the year of 1999 two famous oppositionists disappeared in the country without leaving a track- former Minister of Internal Affairs Yury Zaharenko and Vice Speaker of the Supreme Council of XIII Convocation Viktor Ganchar, and also a big businessman Anatoliy Krasouskiy. In summer of 2000 year Dmitriy Zavadskiy an operator of Russian TV channel ORT disappeared without leaving a track.

High officials of Belarus are suspected to be involved into abductions and murders.

Oleg Bebenin was one of the founders and leaders of charter97.org website.

The body of Oleg Bebenin was found August 3rd, 2010 at 5.30 p.m. in his summer cottage not far from Minsk.
Oleg Bebenin was born in 1974. He graduated from the Belarusian State University, department of journalism. In 1990s he occupied the position of the deputy chief editor of "Imya", an independent Belarusian newspaper. Since 1998 he was the founder and head of charter97.org website. Oleg Bebenin had a wife and two sons.

What a great coincidence Oleg was working for the main opposition website in Belarus - http://www.charter97.org/en/news

Minsk, December 10th, 2008

The vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights comments on the arrests in Minsk at 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights proclamation.

"It is an unpleasant and disappointing fact, that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is banned for distribution in the country that signed it," Ales Byalyatski, vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights, told in an interview to the Charter'97 press center.

On December 10, human rights activists, distributing the Declaration of Human Rights on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its proclamation, were arrested on Independence Avenue of Minsk. In total, more than 20 people including youth activists, distributing the declaration, were detained. Among the detained were Ales Byalyatski, Uladzimir Labkovich, Aleh Matskevich, Maryna Statkevich, and Syarhei Sys.

"We were handing around texts of the Declaration of Human Rights and leaflets about violations of human rights in Belarus. Unfortunately, we failed to hold an action according to our plan. We were detained by militiamen in mufti and guarded to the Tsentralny District Militia Department where we spent three hours. They wrote down our personal data and we were released without any explanations," Ales Byalyatski said.

Militia officers didn't introduce themselves though they must show their identity documents by law. The human rights activists were released. No reports were drawn up. Physical force was used against them during the detention.

"I can't say exactly who detained us because they were in mufti. Militia officers didn't introduce themselves, though we asked them to. They were rude, shoved the girls," Ales Byalyatski added.

According to him, more than 30 human rights defenders and youth activists took part in the rally.

A great number of militia and riot militia can be seen in the center of Minsk today. They repress all attempts to hold street action on the Human Rights Day.

On December 10, human rights activists of Hrodna organized a street action dedicated to the 60th anniversary of proclamation of the Declaration of Human Rights. Riot militiamen detained Viktar Sazonau, Uladzimir Khilmanovich, Yan Roman, Aleh Kalinkou and other participants of the action.

Minsk, November 3, 2008

Leader of the Great Libyan Revolution Muammar Muhammad Al-Qadhafi arrived with an official visit t Minsk on November 2nd, 2008. It is his first visit to Belarus. He was met by Aleksandr Lukashenko at the Minsk Airport.

Al-Qadhafi is going to stay in Belarus for two days. He is expected to visit the Belarusian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War and lay a wreath to the Victory Monument.

Lukashenka said positions of Belarus and Libya are similar, and offered "Brother Muammar" to stay longer in Belarus. "We have similar approaches to the issues of the world order," Lukashenko said at the negotiations in Minsk.

"What concerns ideological basis for our relations, we have similar approaches to the issues of the global order. Both we and you think that the world should be multipolar. This is a principal and basis of any system. We have seen what the unipolar world can lead to," A. Lukashenko said.

A. Lukashenko noted that Belarus is happy to see Al-Qadhafi's victory on the international scene."
"We know how hard it was for you to live under international sanctions, unlawfully imposed on your people," the Belarusian ruler said.

Noting that Libya is a nonentity member of the UN Security Council, A. Lukashenko said that Belarus "likes the independent policy of Libya in the United Nations". Speaking about trade and economic relations between the countries, Lukashenka said that "sales volume doesn't reflect the potential of the two countries". He told to Al-Qadhafi that "there are no closed issues for our cooperation." "We welcome your support of our country, we will work with Libya and welcome Libya's specialists and businessmen in Belarus," A. Lukashenko said.

The leader of the Libyan revolution stated that this "this visit will become an impact in the development of Libya-Belarus relations". Al-Gaddafi said he had met with Libyan cadets and officers, studying in Belarus. "They said they are glad with their study here and the skills they had received there," Al-Qadhafi said.

Besides, the leader of the Libyan revolution told that "the world has become unipolar due to disbalance of forces." "UN principles are not observed, all international norms are violated," Al-Qadhafi said.

Al-Qadhafi noted that "Libya has passed through a difficult period of international sanctions". In this connection he stated that "it was Belarus who extended the hand of friendship to us". As said by him, the visit of A. Lukashenko to Libya in 2000 laid the groundwork for bilateral cooperation. "I have come here to promote our relations, and to reinforce them," al-Gaddafi said. "We hope to see our friend in Libya once again," he noted.

In his turn Lukashenko stated that he would visit Libya "with great pleasure and interest". "I will come with a concrete result. In order to visit Libya once again, we shall work even more intensively," the leader of the Belarusian state said.

"Brother Muammar, we have just agreed on main directions of cooperation. I think that members of your delegation would specify many issues by the end of the day, developing our agreements," Lukashenka said and offered al-Gaddafi to stay in Belarus longer.

Summing up the results of the Belarusian-Libyan talks held in Minsk, a convention on avoidance of double taxation, protocol on cooperation between Justice Ministry of Belarus and the Chief People's Committee of Justice of Libya were signed.

Besides, a memorandum on understanding between the State Standardisation Committee of Belarus and the National Centre on Standardisation and Metrology of Libya has been signed, and an agreement about cooperation between the State TV and Radio Company of Belarus and the State Bureau of broadcast of Libya.