Aleh Vouchak: “BT channel is lying. Ordinary soldering irons were seized”

Human rights commented on information, reported by the Belarusian Television (BT) yesterday.

Yesterday, on air of “Panorama Nedeli” (Week’s Panorama) host Yury Prakapkou said a subdivision for combating organized crime detained dwellers of Vaukavysk, suspected in committing of a number of serious crimes. With a reference to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affaires, it was reported about arsons and blasts of property of governmental officials. Belarusian Television said explosive devices and fire arms had been found during the search.

Though names of detained in Vaukavysk people weren’t said, it was spoken about leaders of entrepreneurs Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka.

The Charter’97 press center asked human rights activist Aleh Vouchak to comment on the accusations, made by the Belarusian Television.

“BT channel is lying. Explosives and arms were not confiscated from apartments of Autukhovich, Lyavonau, and Asipenka, because they didn’t have such things. Ordinary soldering irons and tin, which is used in soldering, were seized. One should notice a quick reaction of the Belarusian television. It may mean that this action against leaders of entrepreneurs was pre-planned.

Besides, entrepreneurs are accused of arson of a militiaman’s house that took place in 2004. As we have learnt, another person has been already convicted in this case! We are clearing out his name and a measure of punishment.

On February 10, Mikalai Autukhovich must have been released on parole. It seems, this provocation was organized in order not to free him,” Aleh Vouchak told in an interview to the Charter’97 press center.

On February 9, relatives of the detainees will make contracts with lawyers. “Pavel Sapelka is expected to defend Mikalai Autukhovich, and Tamara Sidarenka will defend Uladzimir Asipenka. These lawyers are known for journalists over the case of Partnership organization. Yury Lyavonau refused to hire a lawyer, because he thinks this case is absurd,” the human rights activist said.

According to Vouchak, the detainees spent the night in prison in Akrestsin Street in Minsk.

The Ministry of Internal Affaires refuses to comment on the detention.

It should be reminded that they were detained in apartment and in a local car fleet, where M. Autukhovich works as a driver. The detention was carried out early in the morning February 8 by officers of the main organized crime department of the Ministry of Internal Affaires and officers of Almaz, a special squad on fighting terrorism. The detention and the search were authorised by prosecutor of the Hrodna region. Autukhovich was confiscated a computer and personal correspondence.

Mikalai Autukhovich and Yury Lyavonau are former political prisoners, sentenced to imprisonment on a far-fetched accusation for protection of rights of entrepreneurs. In early 2008, a measure of punishment was changed to restriction of liberty.