BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

24/10/2007

Belarusian University Expels Campaigner Against Redevelopment Of Historic Downtown

Katsyaryna Bychak, a student who campaigned against what she called the destructive redevelopment of Hrodna's historic center, was expelled from Yanka Kupala State University of Hrodna for violating the university's regulations, Belapan reported on October 23. Bychak, a second-year law student, told the agency that she was arrested in May 2006 while trying, along with other young people, to protect a 19th century mill from demolition. "No disciplinary action for my participation in the campaign was taken at the university," she said, adding that officers of the Committee for State Security (KGB) visited her at home and asked questions about the campaign. "The dean dismissed the justification I offered for missing eight days of classes in September and kicked me out," she said. Pavel Mazheyka, a prominent opposition activist in Hrodna, described Bychak's expulsion as "politically motivated." He said the prodemocratic community in the city will help her file an appeal against the expulsion and, if the appeal fails, will assist her in finding an opportunity to study abroad. JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/10/3-cee/cee-241007.asp