28 December 2007
KGB department in Homyel turns down persecution complaint from journalist

The Homyel regional department of the Committee for State Security (KGB) has turned down a complaint from a local journalist against his persecution.

The department replied that KGB officers are authorized to interview people for collecting primary information.

On November 23, KGB officers arrived at the home address of Syarhey Padsasonny to bring him to the KGB department and interview about his alleged work with Warsaw-based Belsat TV channel broadcasting to Belarus.

The journalist complained about the incident to the regional prosecutor's office that redirected the complaint to the KGB.

On December 5, a KGB officer approached Mr. Padsasonny in the central park. "The officer thought that I was watching him," Mr. Padsasonny said. "He was shouting and threatening to take me to the KGB department where they would "deal with" me. I managed to attract the attention of passers-by and flee. I reported the incident to the persecutor's office as well." //BelaPAN