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August 30, 2006

Belarusian Writers Union Evicted

The Belarusian author Siarhiej Dubaviec autographs a book in the Union of Belarusian Writers (file photo) (RFE/RL)

MINSK, August 30, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Authorities in Minsk today evicted the Union of Belarusian Writers from its headquarters in the capital, Minsk.

The eviction order was issued by a court that earlier this year ruled that the Union of Belarusian Writers had not paid rent for the past several years.


The Union of Belarusian Writers, which was founded in 1934, refused to pay rent on the grounds that the House of Writers where it was based was built partly with writers' royalties.


Its eviction is seen as an attempt by authorities to marginalize a group of intellectuals who have refused to bow to the authoritarian regime of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka. 


Court bailiffs arrived at the building on August 30 and ordered the writers to leave the building.


In a symbolic gesture, the writers took with them portraits of some of the classical writers of world literature.


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