Andrei Bandarenka's laptop found at KGB

A laptop seized from Andrei Bandarenka on the border was found at the KGB. Human rights activists from “Platform” organization learned this information from the Brest customs office, RFE/RL reports.

An executive officer said the laptop had been taken to the KGB in Minsk for an expert examination. The officer did not say when “Platform” organization head Andrei Bandarenka could get back his computer and refused to say the reason for the confiscation.

Some weeks ago, Belarusian customs officers ordered Bandarenka to get off the train on his way from Warsaw to Minsk. They said he should go to the customs room for checking his “magnetic carriers”. They seized his laptop to “check if information on it poses an economic or political threat to the country”.

Representatives of “Platform” organization note in their statement it is not the first case of violation of the acting legislation. This time, the Customs Code of the Customs Union was violated. In accordance with article 143, the customs authorities must inform about purposes of an expert examination not later than two days after taking such a decision.

Andrei Bandarenka has not received any notifications or explanations regarding the character of the customs examination.