General Zakharanka: 8 years of uncertainty
- 8.01.2008, 17:53
On January 4 a former Internal Minister of Belarus Yury Zakharanka would have turned 56. The politician went missing in 1999. High-ranking Belarusian officials are suspected of implication in a crime.
As we have informed, former internal affairs minister and one of the opposition leaders, went missing in May 1999. As believed by many in Belarus and worldwide, he was abducted on political reasons, and possibly assassinated.
Belarusian authorities say the investigation hasn’t been completed, and reasons of Zakharanka’s disappearance and his fate unknown.
The international community believes that there are ground for suspecting a number of Belarusian high-ranking officials, in particular, Interior Minister Uladzimir Navumau, Security Council Secretary Viktar Shejman, former Interior Affairs Ministry Yury Sivakou and SOBR commander Dzmitry Paulichenka of implication in the crime.
In December 2007 the investigation in the case was extended for 3 months. A legal representative of the Zakharankas family, Aleh Vouchak, stated to the Charter’97 press-center that authorities are only “giving appearance of investigation” by another extension of the investigation in case of Zakharanka.
“We don’t expect they say they have found the people guilty in disappearance of Zakharanka. It’s just a formality, a demonstration that the investigation is allegedly being conducted. But as far as we know, no activity was taken recently indeed. I am absolutely convinced the case of Zakharanka’s disappearance will be investigated only when new, lawful president will be at power,” Aleg Vouchak said to the Charter’97 press center, commenting the fact of extension of the investigation.
“The present power is not forever. They will have to replay for their criminal acts. And references to pressure and threats by authorities will be irrelevant. Gentlemen, try to be brave at last, and give evidence on what had happened with General Zakharanka and other missing politicians, and who is blame of it! Think about their relatives, who have been waiting for any information about their children, husbands, fathers over many years. Finally, remember about your soul!” the human rights activist calls for those, who in his opinion have true information about the destiny of missing politicians.