English

Nyaklyayew`s wife questioned by KGB

The wife of former presidential candidate Uladzimir Nyaklyayew was questioned by KGB officers on Monday about the December 19 post-election demonstration in Minsk.

When reached by BelaPAN, Volha Nyaklyayew said that she had signed a pledge not to disclose any details of the questioning.

Mrs. Nyaklyayew said that her 64-year-old spouse still had stomach pains and headache.

The poet and leader of the "Tell the Truth!" campaign was seen by a doctor of the KGB hospital last week. "A second examination is possible only if the investigator gives his consent. Doctors are not allowed to visit our apartment as Uladzimir Nyaklyayew is under house arrest," Mrs. Nyaklyayew said.

Mr. Nyaklyayew was beaten unconscious men in black uniform when he was leading a group of his supporters to the venue of the anti-Lukashenka demonstration on the evening of December 19. The attack is widely believed to have been masterminded by Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s secret services.

Mr. Nyaklyayew was rushed to the Minsk City Emergency Hospital but was forcibly taken by plainclothesmen to the detention center of the Committee for State Security a few hours later.

He was released and placed under house arrest on January 29.

Mr. Nyaklyayew is not allowed to leave his home, talk to anyone but his wife, write letters, use a telephone and the Internet and even approach windows. KGB officers are present in his apartment around the clock.

Mr. Nyaklyayew is one of those charged in a so-called riot case opened in connection with the demonstration and facing up to 15 years in prison.