Journalist Padsasonny’s Complaint Forwarded to KGB

15.12.2007. Tags: freedom of expression, mass media, journalists, KGB.
Source: BelaPAN.

Homel oblast prosecutor’s office forwarded the complaint of Homel journalist, member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Siarhei Padsasonny against unlawful actions of the KGB to those against who he complained.

The reason for the complaint was that on 23 November the workers of Homel oblast KGB office came to the journalist’s home. They took him to their office and interrogated concerning his professional activities and relation to the Polish satellite TV channel BelSat which broadcasted in Belarusian.

Considering these KGB actions illegal the journalist applied to the prosecutor’s office with the request to give a legal evaluation.

Another reason was that on 5 December, while Padsasonny was walking in the central park of Homel together with a friend, one of the KGB workers who had come to his home ran up to him and started shouting at him and snatching his clothes. ‘He imagined that I was watching him. He shouted about this and threatened to take me to the KGB office where I would receive a ‘fair treatment’.’ I started crying out loud and drew the attention of the passers-by, thanks to which I managed to escape,’ Padsasonny commented.

Instead of considering the strange KGB behavior, on 13 December the acting prosecutor of Homel oblast Ivan Huzarevich sent to the journalist an answer that his complaint was forwarded to the chairman of Homel oblast KGB office ‘for organization of a check-up and taking a decision’.

‘It is plainly ridiculous’, said Padsasonny. ‘I complain against the actions of the KGB officers, and the prosecutor’s office directs my complaint to them. It is a violation of the law On applications of citizens, not to speak about the presidential decree on debureaucratization. I will apply to lawyers and human rights activists to try restoring my rights, which are guaranteed by the Constitution, at least the right to travel.’