Belarusian Opposition Activist Jailed

Jauhenija Astrejka, mother of an activist sentenced earlier for his role in organizing opposition protests (file photo) (RFE/RL) MINSK, September 18, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- A Belarusian opposition activist, Viachaslau Siuchyk, was sentenced today to 10 days in jail after being found guilty of participating in opposition protests following presidential elections in March.

Siuchyk was immediately detained after he returned to Belarus from Ukraine on September 12.

Assessing The Election

Assessing The Election

A police officer closes the gate on a Minsk detention center after demonstrators were brought there on March 24, 2006 (RFE/RL)

LOOKING BACK: On March 21, 2006, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a briefing on the March 19 presidential election in Belarus and its unfolding aftermath. The roundtable discussion featured CELESTE WALLANDER, director and senior fellow at the Russia and Eurasia Program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies; "The New York Times" Moscow correspondent STEVEN LEE MYERS; and RFE/RL Belarus Service Director ALEXANDER LUKASHUK (the latter two speaking via telephone from Minsk).
The roundtable discussion focused on the actions of the administration of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka during the campaign and the election and on what the world can expect from Lukashenka's third term in office.

Listen to the entire briefing (about 60 minutes):
Real Audio Windows Media


THE COMPLETE PICTURE: Click on the image to view a dedicated page with news, analysis, and background information about the Belarusian presidential ballot.