BelaPAN freelance journalist detained in Mahiliou

Ales Asiptsou, a freelance reporter for the BelaPAN independent news agency, was briefly detained this morning outside the entrance to the Mahilioukhimvalakno state-owned enterprise.

The journalist was detained while interviewing employees on the level of wages offered at the company.

“The security guards did not like that, and they decide to detain me. I was told that the territory I was in belonged to the enterprise and I had to ask for permission to be there. So they call the police. The policemen made me write an explanation on what I had been doing there and then they released me,” said the journalist.

Ales Asiptsou has been repeatedly harassed over his professional activities, including several short prison terms.