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The Homyel regional office of the Committee for State Security (KGB) has promised to return seized printing equipment to Uladzimir Katsora, deputy head of the Homyel organization of the United Civic Party (UCP).
In its letter, the KGB office explains that the risograph (high-speed multifunctional digital printing system) and also a paper cutting device and paper in cardboard boxes have been removed from the list of physical evidence in a criminal case against a number of young people accused of acting on behalf of an unregistered organization called Malady Front.
The KGB office invites Mr. Katsora to collect the seized items on December 15.
On December 14, 2007, KGB officers raided a house in the village of Chkalava near Homyel and took the risograph away.
The house belonged to the parents of UCP member Zinaida Shumilina. The officers explained that the search was being conducted in connection with the criminal case against Malady Front activists.
The KGB and the regional prosecutor's offices have thrice refused to return the risograph to Mr. Katsora, saying that it would be used as physical evidence.
"The KGB doesn't say that the criminal case against Malady Front activists has been dropped or suspended," Mr. Katsora told BelaPAN. "It simply says that the risograph has been struck from the list of physical evidence. Computers and copying equipment were seized in connection with this case from the UCP office in Homyel in October 2007. Although the copying equipment was returned to us, its condition was not in working order. The computers so far have not been given back, and we'll file new appeals over the matter." //BelaPAN