UCP activists detained as they tried to visit possible place for nuclear power plant construction
- 3.12.2008, 15:46
Head of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka, journalist Vadzim Kaznacheeu, UCP member Ivan Kruk and activist of the “Young Democrats” Alyaksandr Syarheenla were detained in the Astravets district.
They were driving to the village of Mikhalishki to see a place for the nuclear plant construction, chosen as main possible construction site. A car, driven by Anatol Lyabedzka, was stopped by traffic militia officer.
Two militia cars drove up to them. Militiamen searched the car and found leaflets about planning actions of protest of entrepreneurs. UCP activists distribute these leaflets at the market of Astravets.
“Oh, this is what we are looking for,” militiamen said.
The car with UCL leader and activists was escorted by two militiamen cars to the Astravets militia department. After a time, head of the local KGB Syarhei Shmurei and 2 cars with officers of border forces, one of them a major came there, too.
As Anatol Lyabedzka told to ucpb.org, 1211 leaflets about planning protest actions of entrepreneurs, 317 leaflets of the United Democratic Forces about freedom of conscience, 25 CDs with Anatol Lyabedzka’s speeches on Belsat TV channel, about ten pocket calendars and some stickers with photo of the politician and text “Control over Authorities” were seized during the search.
Anatol Lyabedzka and Vadzim Kaznacheeu had to give explanations to militia and senior lieutenant of border forces Shynkevich, then they were guarded to the border command post.
According to Vadzim Kaznacheeu, militia explained they were detained because militiamen were informed the activists “had been distributing something”.
Besides, we were passing through the border area that is not forbidden by the law,” the journalist said.
Hudahai border command post, where detained UCP leader Anatol Lyabedzka and journalist Vadzim Kaznacheeu were guarded, they had to write explanatory notices to border guards.
They said they were just “passing through the border area”. After that the detained were guarded to the Astravets militia department again. The head of the department for inquires of the command post asked to write they don’t have complaints at border troops bodies. Anatol Lyabedzka wrote he don’t have complaints at them, but have claims to the political authorities of the country.
The four detained were released. Seized leaflets, CDs, calendars and stickers will be sent for expert examination. As the detained were said, it must be found out if these materials contain “threat to the constitutional system”.