“Narodnaya Volya” journalist detained on Belarusian border for a day

• 15.03.2010, 11:09

The car Maryna Koktysh bought in Lithuania was seized and sent for experts’ evaluation.

The journalist of the independent newspaper “Narodnaya Volya” Maryna Koktysh was detained at Kamenny Loh border crossing point at 2:30 p.m. March 12. The woman was driving the car from Lithuania. Belarusian border guards told the journalist the car was on the international wanted list. The journalist told Radio Svaboda Lithuania denies this information. Koktysh went on hunger strike protesting against actions of customs officers.

The journalist was able to return to Minsk on Saturday. Belarusian customs officers gave her a vehicle to go home. The car, bought by Koktysh in Lithuania, was driven to the Ashmyany customs office for an experts’ examination.

Maryna Koktysh supposes the detention is connected with her professional activity. On February 17, officers of the Leninski district militia department searched the journalist’s working place and seized a computer case. The militiamen has a warrant signed by prosecutor from Homal Valyantsina Shaeva in relation to the case of denigration of honour and dignity of Ivan Korzh, the former head of the KGB department of the Homel region. We remind, deputy editor of “Narodnaya Volya” Svyatlana Kalinkina was seized her PC during the search in the apartment.

Leader of the European Belarus civil campaign Andrei Sannikov, his wife Iryna Khalip, a well-known journalist, and European Belarus coordinator Zmitser Bandarenka were questioned by militia. #

On March 5, Andrei Sannikov and Iryna Khalip were seized a computer on the Belarusian-Lithuania border.