KGB Changes Restraint to Arrested Young Front Leaders
According to RFE/RL, at 7.30 p.m. on 7vists of the Young Front Zmitser Khvedaruk and Aleh Korban were released from the KGB.
The activists have given a written undertaking to come for interrogations when summonsed by investigators. Aleh and Zmitser are suspects in a criminal case opened by the KGB under Article 193 of the Criminal Code (actions on behalf of an unregistered organization).
Nasha Niva was the first to make a short interview with Zmitser Khvedaruk.
‘I don’t complain about the conditions. They were quite normal, much better than in Akrestsina jail. We had bed linen and didn’t have to sleep on plank-beds. However, instead of lavatory we had a bucket. The guards had a normal attitude to us. We were kept in neighboring single cells. Psychologically it was quite difficult to stay there. Be had no books to read and were left alone with our thoughts. We were twice called for interrogations. I was questioned on Tuesday, Aleh – on Monday. Today a short interrogation has been conducted with both of us. On Sunday, when KGB workers spoke to us, they were quite forthcoming and even tried to be friendly. During the following interrogations they asked us quite simple questions, sometimes in several rounds. It was very interesting to watch their methods. We had to sign undertakings not to publicize the details of the criminal case and not to leave the country. We also signed documents that our computers had been confiscated and a check-up would be held. The food was rather bad, that’s why during the last two days I kept a hunger-strike. I didn’t believe they would release us even when the lawyer said so. I am suspected in heading Minsk organization of Young Front and Aleh Korban – in heading of one of its departments. I am going to continue living my real life and am ready to go all the way. That’s why I don’t refuse from public activity,’ said Zmitser Khvedaruk.
Today, on 8 February, Mr. Khvedaruk had a press conference. Aleh Korban didn’t manage to take part in it, as at that time he was in Minsk Partyzanski borough police department, writing an explanatory note in connection with a note about his disappearance that was passed by representatives of democratic movement on 4 February.
At the press conference Zmitser Khvedaruk also said that the KGB investigators demanded that they wrote statements about leaving the Young Front and dissolution of the organization and insistently advised to write a letter to Aliaksandr Lukashenka with the request to pardon them. The maximal punishment for activity on behalf of unregistered organization is 2 years of jail.
