Charges Against Journalist Continue

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus has decided this week to continue investigating the criminal case against Andrzej Poczobut until November 21st. Poczobut, a a Polish-Belarusian minority activist and journalist for the Gazeta Wyborcza, faces a prison sentence in Belarus of more than seven years for "libeling the President." Poczobut has published articles in Belarus that criticize the process and decisions made in criminal cases, the government's official response to the June- August 2011 "silent protests" and the treatment of Belarusian prisoners of conscience. He is clearly being targeted for his work, and is not being allowed his right to freedom of expression.

 Amnesty International is asking that concerned people:

"...write immediately in Belarusian, Russian or your own language:

• Calling on the authorities to terminate criminal persecution and drop the charges against Andrzej Poczobut immediately;
•  Urging them to guarantee the right to freedom of expression in line with their international human rights obligations, including Article 19 of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 5 DECEMBER 2012 TO: President Alyaksandr Lukashenka Administratsia Prezidenta Respubliki Belarus ul.Karla Marksa 38 220016 Minsk, Belarus Fax: +375 17 226 06 10/ +375 17 222 38 72 (Please say "fax" clearly if someone answers) Email: contact@president.gov.by Salutation: Dear President LukashenkaGeneral Prosecutor Alyaksandr Koniuk Internatsionalnaya str. 22 220050 Minsk, Belarus Fax: +375 17 226 42 52 (Please say "fax" clearly if someone answers) Email: info@prokuratura.gov.by Salutation: Dear General Prosecutor

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the second update of UA 181/12. Further information."