The political prisoner can be “pardoned” if “it is proved the damage he caused with the tax fraud has been repaid.”
Belarus: Political prisoner Ales Bialiatski could walk free
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CATEGORY: Europe and Central Asia
Blasphemy is in the eye of the believer
The petition against Maajid Nawaz is deeply offensive, says Padraig Reidy
Ukraine: Press targeted and attacked by police
At least 26 journalists were injured during the clashes between the police and protesters in Kiev, Andrei Aliaksandrau writes
Ireland: Legal threats from Catholic commentators put drag artist Panti in a twist
A gay performer faces legal action after criticising “homophobic” journalists. But does this signal the weakness of traditional views on sexuality? Padraig Reidy reports
Turkey’s proposed internet law met with strong opposition
Controversy surrounds proposed amendments to a 2007 law, which would give the government wide ranging power over the internet
Ukraine: Authorities target Euromaidan activists with new repressive law
Legislation passed today seriously restricts freedom of expression and assembly, in a move the country’s civil society calls “a constitutional coup d’état”, Andrei Aliaksandrau writes
UKIP pledges to ban climate change lessons in schools
‘All teaching of global warming being caused by carbon dioxide emissions must be banned’, education spokesman tells Index on Censorship
The EU and free expression: Human rights dialogues
To promote freedom of expression and other human rights, the EU has 30 ongoing human rights dialogues with supranational bodies, but also large economic powers such as China.
David Satter: US journalist expelled by Russia speaks to Index on Censorship
Radio Liberty adviser describes “Kafkaesque” intrigues behind his exclusion from Russia. Padraig Reidy reports
Hollande’s affair is a break with French tradition
What happened last Friday was unprecedented. Four days before the third major press conference of François Hollande’s presidency, the French version of celebrity magazine Closer alleged that the president was having an affair. Valeria Costa-Kostritsky reports