Criminal proceedings into disappearance of Aliaksandr Shachanok instituted in Homel

This was reported by human rights activist Barys Bukhel who maintains contact with the investigators. Last time Aliaksandr Shachanok was seen August 27, when leaving the building of the Bykhau District Court. August 29, his relatives started looking for him and then applied to the police.

Aliaksandr Shachanok is well-known for his years-long struggle with the Bykhau police who did not want to faithfully execute their job. As a result, one of them was fired, some others received reprimands and were deprived of wage bonuses.

Mr. Shachanok had a domestic conflict with a neighbor who has repeatedly threatened him with physical violence. According to Mr. Bukhel, the neighbour could proceed from threats to real actions.

Several civil society activists have been questioned in Mahiliou concerning the disappearance of Mr. Shachanok. They were taken explanations about the relationship with Aliaksandr Shachanok.

The activist was a sympathetic of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada). In the last election, he collected signatures in support of a candidate Leanid Padbiaretski.