Journalists in Homieĺ demand dismissal of customs officer over profanity

Freelance journalists Kanstantsin Zhukouski and Natallia Kryvashei argue that an employee of the Novaja Huta border checkpoint used foul language and threats towards them in an incident that took place on September 11. The reporters recorded the offensive words and posted the audio online.

According to the freelancers, the incident occurred on September 11, when they were returning from the Ukrainian city of Chernihiv. The customs officials showed excessive attention to the journalists and opposition activist Uladzimir Katsora, who was also in the car, thoroughly searching both the travelers and the vehicle.

"The shift chief, who said his name was Uladzimir Razhkou, ordered that we spoke Russian, was rude and even used foul language. After we asked him to stop his unlawful actions, Uladzimir Razhkou grabbed me by the collar and dragged me outside. Moreover, he said he could get away with his offensive behavior and threatened us with physical violence,” said Kanstantsin Zhukouski.

His colleague Natallia Kryvashei has posted an online petition asking to dismiss Uladzimir Razhkou from the post of head of the department of customs clearance and control.