Malady Front challenges OSCE expert's conclusions about Autukhovich's case

Belarus' opposition group Malady Front has sent a letter to Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, chairwoman in office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), challenging German law expert Martin Fincke's conclusions about a criminal case against what the group regards as political prisoners.   The OSCE Office in Minsk had invited Fincke to examine a criminal case against three Vawkavysk dissidents at the request of the Belarusian foreign ministry.

 

A report drawn up by Fincke described the months-long detention of Mikalay Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka as legal and denied any political motives behind the controversial case. It was distributed among members of the European Parliament and European Union officials.

 

Malady Front charges that Fincke paid a secret visit, failed to meet with the accused and their lawyers, and talked to officials only.

 

Malady Front wants the OSCE chairperson-in-office to make a legal assessment of actions by Hans-Jochen Schmidt, head of the Minsk Office who organized Fincke's trip to Minsk.