Apartment Of Ex-Political Prisoner And Volunteer Eduard Lobau Searched

During the search, the police tore clothes of the Young Front member’s mother and seized her mobile phone.

Minsk apartment of the former political prisoner Eduard Lobau, who is now in Ukraine, was searched.

It happened today at 8.30 am. The search was controlled by a senior security officer of the Main Directorate for Organised Crime and Corruption Control (GUBOP) Raman Kizhapin.

Young Front member’s mother Maryna Lobava said to Radio Svaboda:

“I went out to take my dogs for a walk, and three tall men in civilian clothes were waiting for me near the elevator. They demonstrated me a search warrant signed by a prosecutor in connection to the fact that a criminal case was opened against Edik for his participation in military operations in Ukraine.

I was forced to go back to the apartment. They also entered and brought witnesses. Several officers stayed outside to guard the door to the apartment.

During the search, they confiscated two laptops - my husband’s and mine. Also, the computer CPU, several flash drives and a book about the "Young Front" and the human rights center "Viasna".

Contrary to the law, they took my mobile phone from my bag by force. The warrant was for search of the apartment, not for the personal search - that is why it was a violation. And I don’t even mention that it was done by male officers, and even by physical force.

I indicated in the report that I have claims about the mobile phone, and a torn jacket – it was torn during the personal search. I also indicated that they didn’t allow me to call a lawyer.”

Marina Popova contacted a lawyer after the search. She is going to file an appeal against the illegal seizure of the phone.

Maryna Lobava refused to answer questions about her son and his activities in Ukraine.