The Cure help release prisoner

The Cure have helped the release of a jailed Belarusian scientist following a campaign by Amnesty International.

Professor Yury Bandazhevsky was conditionally released from prison on August 5 after serving four years of an eight-year sentence.

Bandazhevsky's case had been taken up by Amnesty International and other human rights organisations as well as by The Cure.

Singer Robert Smith said: “The release of Professor Yury Bandazhevsky is welcome news, and another great example of how we can all make a difference if we try - well done Amnesty: the fight goes on.”

According to Amnesty International, Bandazhevsky was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment after being convicted of taking bribes from students seeking admission to the Gomel Medical Institute, where he was a rector. The human rights organisation adopted him as a Prisoner of Conscience, believing that he was convicted on trumped up charges because of his open criticism of the authorities' response to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Amnesty International Media Director Mike Blakemore said: “We're delighted that Professor Bandazhevsky has finally been freed. It's a testament to the dedication of individual Amnesty members across the world who have campaigned tirelessly for justice in this case.”

He added: “We would also like to thank The Cure and their fans who attended the USA Curiosa Festival Tour last summer, for supporting this case by signing our petition. They really have made a difference in helping to secure Yury's freedom.”document.write(unescape('\04564%6F%63um\145%6Et.%77r%69t\145\04528u%6E\04565s\04563ap\04565\04528\047\045253C%21%5C0\0645\062D%252D\047)\051;