BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

10/01/2008

Belarusian Authorities Refuse To Investigate Beating Of Activist

The district prosecutor's office in Minsk has refused to open an investigation into the beating of Zmitser Fedaruk, an activist of the unregistered organization Youth Front, Belapan reported on January 9. Fedaruk said he received a response to his complaint that "specifies neither the grounds for the refusal nor any additional information." Fedaruk was hospitalized after he was knocked unconscious during a clash with riot police on December 12, which followed a demonstration in Minsk's central square ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Belarus. Fedaruk announced that he will file one more complaint, but he doubts that the officer who beat him will face punishment. "Perhaps the fear of punishment would have some impact on other officers of the special unit," Fedaruk said. AM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/01/3-cee/cee-100108.asp