Vitsebsk: police detain Barys Khamaida
The detention was conducted by lieutenant-colonel
Katovich, the head of the public security department of the Chyhunachny DPD near
house #28 in Lenin Street,
where the oppositionist distributes independent press every day. Another police
officer shot the detention on video.
Mr. Khamaida was guarded to the Chyhunachny Distrit Police Department. The
alleged reason for the detention is the establishment of his identity.
"Before this, I was detained in autumn. I don't know the reasons for
today's detention. The only thing I can add is that yesterday an unknown man
clang to me while we were talking with the head of the Vitsebsk regional
council with the Belarusian Language Association Navumchyk. He was about 30
years old, dressed in a read coat. He shouted that it was necessary to drawn
all opposition activists and tried to tear away the white-red-white ribbon
which was attached to my table. He stopped only when we threatened to call the
police. Most probably, it was a provocation, and the detention is its
continuation," commented Mr. Khamaida in an interview to RFE/RL.
However, at the DPD nobody asked Mr. Khamaida a question. He was kept there for
2 hours and 10 minutes and then was let go.
