Detentions for distribution of independent press continue

• 9.07.2009, 9:53

On July 9 at 7 a.m. policemen detained the head of Homel branch of the Party of Communists of Belarus Uladzimir Syakerka and his party comrade Mikalai Zasuski.

At the gatehouse of “Elektroapparatura” plant they handed out “Tovarishch” newspaper to workers. The newspaper published materials about the state of the Belarusian economy, the website spring96.org informs.

First police officer Verbitski approached the activists. Seeing that the oppositionists were handing out the newspaper, he called and invited a police seizure party from the police department of Chyhunachny district police department.

In 15 minutes four policemen and a crime detection officer arrived. The latter explained “Tovarishch” distributors that they would be detained for verification of the identity. Passports were not enough for him. “You may be on the wanted list,” the policeman said.

Uladzimir Syakerka and Mikalai Zasuski were taken to the police department of Chyhunachny district of Homel.

On July 8 policemen searched the apartment of PCB activist Svyatlana Mikhalchanka in Svetlahorsk. They were looking for “Tovarishch” newspaper.