Zmitser Bandarenka detained on border

A former political prisoner was taken off Vilnius-Minsk train on his way from Lithuania, where he had had a treatment course.

Zmitser Bandarenka, a coordinator of European Belarus civil campaign, was ordered to get off the train for search and documents check on the Belarusian border. The train departed without him.

Bandarenka's baggage was searched. The political prisoner was strip searched by customs officers. The politician had to take the next train to get to Minsk.

“I was searched not by ordinary Belarusian customs officers, but by customers of the Customs Union, as it was written in documents. It's difficult to explain the behaviour of the Belarusian authorities. They did not have any questions to me two weeks ago, when I travelled to Warsaw for medical purposes. Now, I have to undergo this humiliating procedure. Maybe someone did not like my interview to Maryna Koktysh from Narodnaya Volya newspaper, who was also taken off the train on the border recently,” Bandarenka told charter97.org.

The former political prisoner had a two-week rehabilitation course at Egle health resort in Druskininkai.

Zmitser Bandarenka, who was recently released after 16 months in prison, was able to have a treatment course due to efforts by Human Rights Alliance organization, the Committee to Defend Victims of Political Repression “Solidarity” and the Lithuanian side.

We remind Zmitser Bandarenka, who was convicted for a protest rally against the rigged presidential election, underwent a spine surgery in prison. Politician's health deteriorated considerably in prison without a proper rehab course. He needs serious therapy.