Eleven Participants of Chernobyl Action in Vitebsk Detained on 26 April

27.04.2004.

RFE/RL reports, the police detained Alena Zaleskaya, chair of Vitebsk city organization of United Civic Party, and UCP activists Ela Kanavalava and Uladzimer Semenchukow. The police also detained several passers-by, who joined the action: pensioner Roza Pushkarova who had been just handed a couple of leaflets, and Radio Polonia reporter Yuras Stsiapanaw, who had copies of independent newspapers with him. Member of Christian Conservative Party Yan Tawpyha managed to walk only a dozen meters together with the action participants and was detained for the same reason. The police officers claim they detained Kastus Kuzniatsow, student of the local Medical University, because he was standing nearby and hindered them from their work.
The police officers conducted a personal search of UCP activists Fiodar Bakunow and Siarhei Katushow on the street. They searched through their clothes and personal belongings looking for leaflets. Police officers claim the leaflets contain undesirable information about the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.
All the detained were charged with participation in an unauthorized action.