Witch hunt in Belarus? At least 10 persons reportedly arrested. KGB tight-lipped (UPD)


At least 9 persons have been allegedly arrested in Belarus over the last day.

As reported earlier, publisher Miraslau Lazouski and bookseller Ales Yaudakha were brutally detained on Tuesday evening.

The police also took in Andrey Dundukou, a former activist from Babruysk, a fan of of adventure tourism. In his young days, the man was fond of martial arts.

“We were detained at the border, when we were going on holiday. They failed to give any information, we only know that they were from the KGB. We were taken to Minsk. They have not say what Andrey is accused of,” wife Hanna Dundukova said.

According to information provided by activist and former political prisoner Nasta Dashkevich, the State Security Committee (KGB) has arrested at least 9 persons.

“All of them are members of the Patriotic Club. His head is Mikalai Mikhalkou. This is an ordinary sports and club. The club is legal, it is attached to a club in Babruysk,” she said on Facebook.

(UPD) 10 persons already : Syarhei Borstak was detained, his flat was searhced, Nasta Dashkevich says. He may be charged with training or instructing persons for participation in mass disorders (Article 293 of the Criminal Code)

The KGB has not disclosed the details of night detentions.

“No comment. I know about whom you are asking; many media outlets have reported their being arrested. All in its proper time; you will get information soon,” KGB spokesman Dzmitry Pabyarzhyn told RFE/RL.

On March 21, president Alyaksandr Lukashenka stated that ‘armed militants trained in Belarus, Poland, Ukraine and Lithuania’ were arrested. According to the Belarusian leader, it is them who planned ‘provocations’ during protest rallies.

In February-March, there has been an eruption of protesting the so-called ‘parasite’ law in Belarus. About 200 Belarusians have been detained, fined, jailed after recent non-parasite marches.  Last week, trials of participants were held in Minsk, Hrodna and Mahiliou. Most of them were accused of violating the order of holding mass events and disobedience to police officers’ demands. It should be noted that plainclothes policemen who refuse to show their IDs a or introduce themselves often beat people and prevented journalists from performing their professional duties.

belsat.eu, photo by komkur.info

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