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Charges against another Belarusian activist dropped

August 29, 2011

Uladzimer Kobets

MINSK – Belarusian authorities have dropped charges against the campaign manager for a former presidential candidate who was being prosecuted over postelection protests, RFE/RL's Belarusian Service reports.

Uladzimer Kobets was charged with participating in mass disorders over the protests that broke out in Minsk against the results of the December 19 presidential election that returned President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to power.

He said today he received two official letters from the Minsk police department saying all charges against him have been dropped and he is now free to leave Belarus.

Kobets headed the election campaign for Andrey Sannikau, who was jailed for five years in May after he was convicted of organizing the protests.

Five other Belarusian activists were similarly informed last week that the protest-related charges against them have been dropped.

They are the leader of the opposition United Civic Party (AHP), Anatol Lyabedzka; the chief editor of the opposition website charter97.org, Natallya Radzina; former presidential candidate Ryhor Kastusyou; and activists Aleh Korban and Ales Arystovich.

Radzina is currently in Lithuania, where she has asked for political asylum.

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Topics: Opposition,