English

KGB seizes seven computers, Ramanchuk’s campaign material from United Civic Party office

Officers of the Committee for State Security (KGB) conducted a search for more than four hours at the Minsk office of the United Civic Party (UCP), seizing seven computers, a phone book, a business card holder, and leaflets and other campaign material of the party’s presidential nominee Yaraslaw Ramanchuk.

As Aksana Kryshchanovich, deputy chair of the UCP Executive Committee, told BelaPAN, the search was conducted by three KGB officers. “They sifted through all papers. The office’s operation has been paralyzed. The Political Council will most likely hold a meeting on Monday to discuss further action,” she said.

The search warrant produced by the KGB officers said that the office was targeted as the workplace of Aleh Korban, one of the three UCP leaders held in the KGB jail following the opposition’s post-election street protest. “He is deputy chairman of the UCP’s Minsk city chapter and worked in the office between February 1 and April 1, 2010 as the UCP Executive Committee’s public relations expert,” Ms. Kryshchanovich said.

Mr. Korban, who was a campaign aide of Mr. Ramanchuk, as well as the former candidate’s campaign manager Anatol Pawlaw and UCP leader Anatol Lyabedzka are among at least 22 people declared suspects in the mass riot case opened in connection with the street protest.

Mr. Ramanchuk has not been arrested or named a suspect in the case.