Belarus dissident blogger claims KGB arrests him, sends to mental home over slamming 'Russian World' on web
A Belarusian online activist and founder of a critical website was detained and subject to forensic psychological examination in the period of May, 5 – June, 4, 1863x.com reports.
Two criminal cases were initiated against him – for allegedly inciting ethnic hatred and distributing pornography.
Indeed, the anonymous founder, author and promoter of dissenting 1863x.com, known as Jhon Silver, did not get in touch with the audience in the course of the period above. He posted on Facebook on June 4 – before his presumed arrest. After June 5, he appeared on the Internet again.
Jhon Silver claims the Interior Ministry officers arrested him when he was going to a business meeting in Minsk. The case was conducted by investigators of the Belarusian Investigative Committee, the interrogations were carried out in the building of Tsentralny District Investigative Committee in Minsk. But the impression was that the KGB was behind the case, Jhon Silver told the Belarusian independent newspaper Nasha Niva.
It does not seem possible to check the information and verify his claims, because the author refuses to reveal his identity.
First the blogger was charged under Art. 130 of the Criminal Code (stirring up ethnic hatred) for the article published on1863x.com and for other stories supporting Ukraine and criticising the ‘Russian World’.
Jhon Silver makes no secret of the fact that he was very afraid for his family. His bride was repeatedly questioned, because she was the only witness to his activity. The blogger admitted his being the creator and administrator of the politically unwanted website.
After his confession had been recorded on camera, Jhon Silver was sent to Navinki mental hospital where he underwent a voluntary forensic psychological examination. There he was allowed to meet with family and friends. In Navinki he got to know that independent media noted his disappearance and were looking for him. The man believes that it is the media coverage that helped him.
After a month in the asylum jhon Silver was released on his own recognizance and on condition that he would not make public the real circumstances of his disappearance. The investigators advised him to think out some story not mentioning the Belarusian secret services.
However, after he resumed publishing stories on 1863x.com, another criminal case was opened against him. Now the man is accused of distrubuting pornographic materials. The law enforcers has no reasonable basis for such a charge.
Facing the facts, the blogger has decided to leave Belarus. Now he is staying in Ukraine together with his wife. They intend to further develop the website.
“I’ll be back as soon as possible,” he said.
