Valery Bulhakau: Arche may be closed again

• 24.05.2013, 15:19

The magazine may lose its registration if no new issues are published by June 28.

Charter97.org has learnt it from Arche's editor-in-chief Valery Bulhakau.

“I don't feel I am in danger, but I am under control. I cannot say details. There are no active measures against me. But it is possible that I am under surveillance. I was allowed to return to the country without problems. There were no arrests and talks,” the journalist noted.

He stressed permission for re-registration was a positive sign.

“On the other hand, we have 40 days to release at least one issue. If we don't publish any issues by June 28, we will lose our registration in accordance with the Law on Mass Media. Under the law, a media outlet loses its registration if it is not published for a year. The latest issue of Arche was on June 28, 2012. After these events, we can hardly hope for printing firms. The situation is still dramatic, but I hope we will be able to publish the magazine,” Valery Bulhakau said.

Arche's editor-in-chief Valery Bulhakau was detained in September in Hrodna during the presentation of Yan Shumouski's book “Sovetisation of Western Belarus”. He was accused of carrying out illegal business activity. The Financial Investigation Department raided the printing firm, where Arche was published. Bulhakau was fined 500,000 rubles. He left Belarus in fear of criminal prosecution.

Information appeared on March 22 that no criminal cases were initiated against Arche. Bulhakau returned to Belarus in April. About 5,000 books seized in the autumn are still under arrest. A part of the books were sold via the stores selling confiscated items.