Border guards search car of human rights defender in Hrodna

On January 16, human rights activist Viktar Sazonau was stopped by border guards as he was crossing the Bruzgi border crossing in Hrodna region. Viktar Sazonau was returning from Poland, when his car carrying two more with civil society activists was stopped and sent for an examination. The customs officials also carefully and repeatedly checked the personal belongings of the activists. Particular attention was paid to papers. They were interested in a book, maps and even audio tapes. After that, the car was detained and the keys were taken by the officials. After a telephone consultation with superior officials, the car was sent for an X-ray examination. And only after that, the activists were asked to sign a paper and were allowed to go home.

“No one explained the reasons for this increased attention to us,” says Viktar Sazonau. “But I think that this is due not only to the upcoming elections, but in general to the general increase of pressure on public and active people.”

The Hrodna activists were detained for more than four hours.