BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

02/04/2008

Belarusian Association of Journalists appeals to authorities over last week's KGB searches

The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) appealed today to Prosecutor General of Belarus Ryhor Vasilevich on the occasion of the searches, carried out by KGB officers in offices and apartments of independent journalists on 27 and 28 March, online apper Khartiya'97 reports.

The BAJ insists that "the rule of law should be restored, seized property should be returned, and rights and legal interests of journalists should be defended." Copies of the appeal were sent to head of the Belarusian KGB Yury Zhadobin and prosecutor of Minsk Nikolai Kulik.

The BAJ expresses doubt that there were "adequate and lawful grounds" for the searches. "It is surprising that not only computers and various information carriers but also items that had nothing to do with the case were taken away, including earphones, speakers, voice-recorders, cameras and various legal printed material."

The BAJ issued the first such appeal after the KGB started massive raids on the homes and offices of journalists deemed to be working for Polish-based TV Belarus (BelSat), Radio Racyja, and European Radio for Belarus, as well as other foreign and non-state Belarusian media outlets. The operation of the targeted broadcasters appears to have been affected little by the KGB crackdown, Khartiya'97 adds.

Source:

http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=1524

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