Belarusian youth activist found bound, beaten outside Minsk
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 22 December 2008 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Belarusian youth activist found bound, beaten outside Minsk, 22 December 2008, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4962232823.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 22, 2008
Artur Finkevich after his release in February
Belarusian youth activist Artur Finkevich has told RFE/RL's Belarus Service that he was beaten for three hours during his kidnapping by unknown assailants on December 19.
Finkevich is a member of Young Belarus, a group closely tied to opposition parties mobilizing for the country's 2011 presidential election.
After being robbed and beaten, Finkevich was found abandoned outside the capital, Minsk, with his hands tied behind his back.
Police are looking into the incident, which they say had nothing to do with Finkevich's political activities.
In May 2006, Finkevich was sentenced to two years under a "restricted freedom" regime for writing political graffiti. In late 2007, he had his sentence extended by another 18 months for violating the rules of his correctional facility.
On February 5 of this year, the court considered Finkevich's appeal, unexpectedly shortened his second term to six months, and released him.
