Anatol Liabedzka summoned to prosecutor’s office

On 27 June the chairman of the United Civil Party Anatol Liabedzka received a writ to the prosecutor’s office of Tsentralny district in Minsk.

Chief investigator A.Nikalayeu wrote in the writ: ‘You must come to the prosecutor’s office of Tsentralny district of Minsk at 9.00 a.m. on 24.06.2009,’ the website ucpb.org reports.

‘It’s hard to satisfy the desire of the prosecutor’s office, when a summons is delivered two days after the supposed meeting,’ Anatol Liabedzka said. According to him, it’s unclear from the document whether he will be questioned as a witness or as a suspect.

‘Prosecution performs a special function in Belarus. It is a means of combating and suppressing dissent, so any surprises are possible’, he said.

Bear in mind that criminal cases under Article 367 of the Criminal Code (libel against the president) were instigated against Anatol Liabedzka in 2001 and 2004. The cases were consolidated and closed only this February. Last December, the General Prosecutor’s Office gave an official warning to Liabedzka for preparation and publishing Glotok Vozdukha newspaper.