Support The Moscow Times!

U.S. Honors Belarussian

U.S. officials have given a human rights award to an imprisoned Belarussian activist, honoring his work and that of others struggling for democracy.

The U.S. ambassador to Poland, Lee Feinstein, presented the State Department's 2011 Human Rights Defenders Award on Tuesday to the wife of Ales Belyatsky, who is in prison in Belarus.

Belyatsky was convicted of tax evasion last November and sentenced to four years in prison, an act that U.S. and European officials have described as a punishment for his democracy struggle.

Feinstein said the award is meant to let Belyatsky know he has Washington's support, and it also "helps the regime to know that we are paying attention."

(AP)

Related articles:

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more