Asipovichy activist regains property

Ihar Simbirou has been able to take back the newspapers confiscated by the KGB during a mass search campaign in March 2008.

The searches were conducted by the police and the KGB officers on charges of contempt against Belarusian president.

In December 2008, Ihar Simbirou lodged a claim with Asipovichy disctrict prosecutor’s office against ‘the lawless actions by the police during the search’.

However, his claim was turned down. At the same time, the activist was told he could come and have his newspapers back.

Simbirou was among the five journalists that suffered from the searches. He is the last to regain his property; the rest of the confiscated personal belongings were returned to their owners in October and November 2008.