Belarus Threatens Closure of Local Helsinki Committee

Authorities in Belarus have issued a written warning, accusing the prominent human rights group, the Helsinki Committee, of "unlawfully distorting information" about the situation in Belarus amid a crackdown of opposition to President Lukashenko. The group, which has operated in Belarus for 15 years, recently sent a letter to the United Nations detailing the intimidation of lawyers for opposition leaders arrested after protesting Lukashenko's election victory. More than 30 opposition leaders face a maximum of 15 years in prison for their roles in the protest. The European Union is considering the imposition of sanctions against top Belarussian officials, including Lukashenko, in connection with government actions following the opposition protest. According to Belarussian law, if two warnings are issued for the same offense in one year, the organization can be liquidated. In an effort to avoid closure, the Helsinki Committee plans to appeal the warning.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/world/europe/14belarus.html?_r=1&ref=world