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More opposition activists have homes searched by KGB

More opposition activists across Belarus had their homes raided by officers of the Committee for State Security (KGB) on Thursday as the government`s crackdown on opponents showed no signs of relenting.

At least three people`s homes were searched as part of an investigation launched in connection with opposition forces` post-election demonstration in Minsk, despite the fact that none of them attended the December 19 protest.

In particular, KGB officers seized two computers, a few USB flash drives and discs from the Minsk apartment of Alena Famina, who was a campaign aide of presidential candidate Dzmitry Uss. The woman, who was an election observer at a polling station in Vitsyebsk on December 19, was also told to visit a KGB office on Friday for questioning.

In Haradok, Vitsyebsk region, three KGB officers searched the home of Leanid Awtukhow, taking away 20 DVDs and two USB flash drives. The man`s computer was seized by court officers about a month ago for unpaid fines that had been imposed on him for participation in unsanctioned events.

Mr. Awtukhow was an election observer and did not leave Haradok on December 19, the main voting day.

Syarhey Parsyukevich, a Vitsyebsk-based activist of the "Tell the Truth!" campaign, also had his home searched by KGB officers, who seized a computer and some campaign flyers.

Mr. Parsyukevich attempted to travel to Minsk on December 19 but was arrested twice within hours in Vitsyebsk on that day — first on suspicion of murder and later on suspicion of robbery. He was eventually released late at night. //BelaPAN