At the 16th of February the Belo-russian authorities arrested Denis Denisov, leader of the Vitebsk branch of the Youth Christian Social Union “Young Democrats” organization. They charged him for “organization of the mass actions that violate the public order”.

Denis Denisov was one of the organizers of the of the “tents camp” in the October square in Minsk on the 19th-24th of March 2006. He was accused of breaking up the work of transport, organizations and institutions. Now he has been in prison since his arrest. However, the authorities still made not a real case against him with specified reason for his arrest. The government investigator made a decision today to release Denis for a deposit of 15 millions of rubles (app. 7500 USD). His relatives do not have such a sum of money. It also makes clear that his arrest is an act of intimidation against the Belo-Russian opposition.

The United Civil Party (an umbrella of opposition forces) is taking up action and is asking parties in Europe to help him. Parties can ask the ministry of foreign affairs in their country to protest against this violation of human rights. Parties and their MP's can send letters of protest to the Belo-Russian embassies and consulates and ask the immediate release of Denis Denisov without any deposits or conditions. Also parties are asked to notify their European organizations and MEP's of this ongoing intimidations of the Belo-Russian opposition forces.

The ECPM asks all it's members to help our fellow Christian-democrat and take action as described. We hope and pray that it will lead to the freedom of Denis Denisov.