English

KGB returns broken copier to United Civic Party's activists in Homyel

The Committee for State Security (KGB) has returned a broken copier to the Homyel regional organization of the United Civic Party (UCP) without repairing it or compensating the party for the losses.

The copier was seized during a search of the organization's office that was conducted in January in connection with a criminal investigation into the December 19, 2010 post-election protest in Minsk. The device was then in working order.

"Two weeks ago, we refused to take back the copier and demanded that the KGB repair it," UCP activist Uladzimir Katsora told BelaPAN on May 30. "As KGB officers told us today, a repairman examined the copier and concluded that it is old and beyond repair."

A computer mouse that was missing on May 16 has also been returned to Mr. Katsora. "I was told openly that one of the officers had taken it home for his son to use," he said.

A total of 10 computers were seized by the KGB on January 6 and 26 from the office of the United Civic Party in Homyel and from the homes of Vasil Palyakow, chairman of the regional organization of the UCP, and human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka.

Dozens of computers have been seized in KGB raids on the UCP office in the last 10 years. Some of them were never returned, while others were returned damaged.