Vitsebsk: activist of ‘Young Belarus’ Taras Surhan detained

Taras Surhan was detained on 9 January when he left his apartment with his future wife to take out the trash. ‘As I threw the rubbish into the waste bin, the unknown in mufti ran from behind, forced me into the car and took me away. Then I was placed in another car, with policemen, and taken to the police department of Chyhunachny district of Vitsebsk,’ Surhan said.

A report under Article 17.1 of the Administrative Code (disorderly conduct) was drawn up against him. The detainee was kept in a detention facility till 11 January.

‘Today, despite the fact that the court works since 8 a.m., they started the trial at 8.30 a.m. I entered a motion for advocatory services. The judge called the people whom I enumerated as attorneys, but it turned out all of them were occupied. So a summons for 22 January was given to me. But from the court I was taken to the police department of Chyhunachny district of Vitsebsk again. I was there till about 10.30 a.m. a secretary of the court came to me and gave me a new summons, for January 15, 9 a.m.,’ Surhan said.

The activist believes that his arrest is connected to the case of Vitsebsk oppositionist Syarhei Kavalenka, detained on 7 January. Kavalenka is suspected of placing a white-red-white flag at the top of the main Christmas tree of the city. A criminal action for hooliganism has been opened against him, he faces up to 6 years of imprisonment.

Taras Surhan also said that unknown people in mufti are watching in the yard outside his house.