Give the Floor to Witness Bazhelka :: Charter'97 :: News

A court on the case of a gang headed by a former Almaz officer Valeryi Ignatovich, who is charged with several loud crimes, including cameraman Zavadsky’s abduction, decided to summon as witness Aleh Bazhelka, a former Prosecutor General of Belarus. The trial takes place behind closed doors, and the information about the hearing is scarce, but allegedly the verdict to summon Bazhelka was made after a well-known Russian journalist Pavel Sharamet was interrogated. All the participants of the trial have given a written undertaking not to reveal what happens in the court. But Pavel Sharamet agreed to answer several questions:

— Pavel, could your evidence be a reason of Bazhelka’s summoning to court?

— Yes, it could.

— Have you met Aleh Bazhelka?

— Not during my last visit to Minsk. But I have met him before, and we talked with witnesses. So not only me, but a few other people can confirm that Aleh Bazhelka knows a lot about the investigation of abductions.

— You have seen the people, who are now at the dock for a first time, haven’t you?

— Yes. For the first time.

— And what is your impression about them?

— It’s hard to say.

- Are you still convinced in their blameworthiness?

— I am still convinced that these people could not prepare and carry out such a complicated operation themselves. And I am still convinced that Zavadsky’s abduction is an order of the authorities. Previously in all my comments on this case I said that Lukashenka knew everything about this case. But now I can say that at the first stage Lukashenka really wanted to find those who abducted Zavadsky. He probably was sure that it was made by president’s enemies. But when the investigation found out who were actual offenders, he was frightened by the resonance the publication of these names would have. It was inexplicable for me for a long time, why Lukashenka let the investigation come up to Pavlichenka’s arrest, and then released him right in his study. The situation was the following. When Pavlichenka was arrested, Sheiman stood up for him. Then Lukashenka ordered Matskevich and Bazhelka to bring Pavlichenka. The conversation started with a question: “What have the investigators asked you, and what have you said?” Pavlichenka answered: “They asked what orders have you given me, Mr. President”. Lukashenka probably thought that Matskevich and Bazhelka searched evidence against him, and dismissed both the Prosecutor General and KGB chairman.

— Is it possible that president A.Lukashenka and Viktar Sheiman would be summoned to court as witnesses?

— If I were a judge, I would definitely summon Sheiman.

P.S. All those who witness to Zavadsky’s case observed a strange circumstance: the court is trying to find out the details that hint about a dead body. Zavadsky’s acquaintances are asked if Zavadsky was able to swim. The time during which Zavadsky left home and arrived at the airport does not let us suppose that he could manage to reach some lake. But for unknown reasons the court needs this information…