Belarusian journalist shortly detained on Russian border

On November 24, Russian border guards detained Belarusian journalist Larysa Shchyrakova and opposition activist Kanstantsin Zhukouski. The Homel-based journalist was making a story about the Belarusian-Russian border in the Dobrush district. Later they moved across the border into Russia and there filmed trucks moving from Belarus to Russia to prove restrictions on transit of Belarusian exports. They were stopped by Russian border guards, who took their passports and asked about the purpose of their trip.

Larysa Shchyrakova and Kanstantsin Zhukouski were held for two hours. They were interviewed by unknown persons in plainclothes who did not identify themselves. The Belarusians were asked why they were making a story in the border area. Claims were that the journalist might film FSB agents. “I just do not know how the FSB agents could disguise themselves on the border, when we only shot for 9 seconds, and it were only trucks that crossed the border,” said the journalist.