Salihorsk resident wants access to customs examination of Lukashenka biography

Aliaksandr Malochka, a resident of the town of Salihorsk, has petitioned Ashmiany customs department with a request to open access to the results of an examination of Valery Karbalevich’s book "Aliaksandr Lukashenka. A Political Portrait." seized from him on September 14, 2013.

In October it was reported that the customs officials were going to appoint a special examination, which was tasked to the General Department of Ideology of the Hrodna Regional Executive Committee. After waiting for the results for a few months, but receiving no response, on January 18, 2014, Aliaksandr Malochka again sent a request to the head of Ashmiany customs. A week later, deputy head Zmitrovich replied that no traits of extremism were found in the book, and the owner could pick it up.

However, an attempt to return the book was not a success. In late February, head of the customs department Mr. Niviarkevich officially reported that he "requests to considered invalid" the previous letter from Ashmiany customs. Mr. Niviarkevich also said that the publication had been forwarded to the KGB Hrodna regional department to classify the book as prohibited for import or export from the territory of the Customs Union.

Aliaksandr Malochka insists that he should have access to the conclusions of the initial examination, the results of which have not satisfied Ashmiany customs chief. The Salihorsk resident also demands a re-examination in order to announce the date and name of the organization in charge of the procedure.