23/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - EU pleased about release of Ales Bialiatski. On Saturday 21 June, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton welcomed the release of human rights defender Ales Bialiatski after three years in prison “on politically motivated grounds”. “This is an important step by the Belarusian authorities and should be followed without delay by the release of all the remaining political prisoners and the reinstatement of their full civil and political rights”, Ashton's spokesperson added. He stated that this could contribute to the improvement of relations between the EU and Belarus. Bialiatski, who is head of the human rights organisation Viasna, was released on Saturday 21 June - 20 months after the date that was planned for his release. He was found guilty of tax evasion and sentenced to four and a half years of gaol. Six other people are still in gaol on grounds generally felt to be politically motivated. (CG)