Boucher Belarus Mikhail Marinich

Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC December 30, 2004

Belarus: Conviction of Mikhail Marinich

On December 30, a Belarusian court convicted prominent Belarusian political figure Mikhail Marinich on a spurious charge of theft of equipment provided to his non-governmental organization. The court sentenced him to prison for five years. As we have noted before, the equipment in question is the property of the U.S. Government, and we make no claim against Ambassador Marinich in connection with its disposition. The United States condemns this abuse and earlier abuses of the judicial system by the Lukashenko regime to persecute Belarusian citizens for their political beliefs. The United States will consider measures it may take to hold accountable those Belarusian officials who participate in such abuses of democratic procedures and human rights.

2004/1415 [End] SOURCE: state.gov