BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

15/07/2008

Moscow concerned over Russian citizen detained in Belarus

MINSK, July 15 (Itar-Tass) -- The Russian embassy in Belarus is seriously concerned over Russian citizen Vladimir Belonin, 21, who was seized by Belarusian police in Minsk several days ago.

"Oddly, Belarus has not replied to the embassy statement, which asked for a meeting between consular officers and the detainee," embassy adviser Vadim Gusev told Itar-Tass on Tuesday. He said there was no response to the request for releasing Belonin on his own recognizance. "The embassy worries for the detainee's health," he said.

"We are surprised with the Belarusian unwillingness to supply objective information about the detention of the Russian citizen and the indefinitely delayed meeting with consular officers," Gusev said.

Parents said that Minsk student Belonin was seized on July 9. His home was searched several days earlier. Parents said that the student was suspected of the explosion that occurred in downtown Minsk early on July 4 morning, during celebrations of Belarus' Independence Day. Parents also said the boy had nothing to do with the blast - he was at home preparing for exams. They said that the boy was seriously ill and could not stay in custody for health reasons.

Source:

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=12871741&PageNum=0

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