Police Confiscates Passport of UK Citizen

30.07.2004.

On 29 July the police took away passport from the UK citizen, lecturer on nuclear physics at Kingston University Alan Flowers who lectured at Andrey Sakharov institute. Since 1992 doctor Flowers dealt with issues, related to Chernobyl catastrophe, recreation of Belarusian children and humanitarian contacts. Doctor Flowers was invited to Belarus to read lectures at Sakharov institute.

Besides, doctor Flowers is one of the founders and curators of the European Parliament. He said to RFE/RL that he would be probably deported by Belarusian authorities on Saturday.

Professor Flowers is honorable professor of Sakharov institute, in the building of which the incident took place. The authorities charge the professor with violation of the registration regime that was established for foreigners, whereas Flowers states he has legal visa and registration for his stay in Belarus.

The authorities can be dissatisfied with the activities of doctor Flowers, such as his participation in the summer camp of European Youth Parliament that was held in Belarusian town of Kobryn.

Flowers: -- I feel very sad about my friends in Belarus, because I am not sure when I will be able to return here and continue my work and cultural activities, organization of recreation journeys of Belarusians to England, humanitarian activity and research. This morning I woke up with legal visa and correct registration, but then I was said that I violated the administrative code and somebody cancelled my visa without any notice. Those who invited me (Belarusian State University) weren’t informed about it either.