Belarus condemned for arresting top rights leader

MINSK — Officials from the UN and EU on Friday joined calls to Belarus to release the head of a human rights group, who was arrested and charged with crimes punishable by seven years in jail.

Vyasna (Spring) leader Ales Beliatsky had spearheaded his organisation's drive to help political prisoners and provide legal support to those who dared rise against President Alexander Lukashenko's dictatorial rule.

The group was also instrumental in releasing details about those detained during a weekly series of protests inspired by the social network revolutions of the Arab world.

Vyasna has been the target of repeated police raids and Beliatsky's arrest Thursday evening was on tax evasion charges. The group's office was also searched and various documents removed.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern over the "harassment" of rights activists.

"Given the many worrying reports of harassment of human rights defenders in Belarus, we call on the authorities to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Bialatski and all human rights defenders in Belarus," said spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani.

European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek said events such as those witnessed in Minsk were "unacceptable on our continent in the 21st century".

And EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton voiced her "strong regret at repeated acts of intimidation and harassment of peaceful human rights defenders in Belarus."

The Czech Republic called the arrest "disturbing" while Belarus neighbour Lithuania expressed its "strong protest".

"Lithuania, together with partners in the EU, will take further actions regarding the release of political prisoners in Belarus," the Lithuanian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Poland's foreign ministry said the arrest was a "flagrant example of the lack of goodwill on the part of Belarussian authorities to return to the path of democratic values."

The most notable silence came from Russia -- a traditional ally whose relations with Lukashenko have strained as his actions have become less predictable.

Vyasna launched its operations in the ex-Soviet republic two years after Lukashenko grabbed power in 1994. It lost its official licence after repeated run-ins with the authorities in 2003 and is now registered in Lithuania.

The group also has its bank accounts there, but one Vyasna member denounced Lithuanian officials for having provided Belarus with financial details about his bitter foe.

"Vyasna's bank information was given to the Belarussian authorities and this led to the (tax evasion) accusations," Vyasna's Vladimir Labkovich told AFP.

"It was the Lithuanian authorities, not the banks, who disclosed information," he said.

Tomas Vaitkevicius, Lithuania's deputy justice minister, told reporters that the records were handed over in March under a tax treaty signed in 1992.

"If we had had any inkling that our judicial assistance would be used for political ends, we would not have provided it," he told reporters.

Vilnius would no longer cooperate with Minsk in the case, he added.

Vyasna said Beliatsky had spent the night being interrogated at the financial crimes division in Minsk.

The group said he was allowed a brief meeting with his wife Natalia on Friday afternoon and had receive a small food package.

An investigator said Beliatsky would either be released on bail this weekend or jailed for 10 days pending his arraignment.

Lukashenko has established monolithic control over Belarus during a controversial tenure that has seen his republic ostracised by the West. His country has also had difficult relations with Russia.

The regime had said its command system ensures stability and stable growth, but these premises imploded when the economy collapsed this spring and a mystery bomb blast killed 15 people on the Minsk metro in April.

The regime last month shocked even its most ardent critics by creating a bill that would give the authorities power to crack down on protesters engaging publicly in "non-actions".

The authorities have in recent weeks been trying to thwart opposition-organised flash mob-style protests in which demonstrators have gathered and protested simply by clapping their hands.