Police looking for “Viasna” in Ihar Barysau's computer

Police returned one of the seized computers to Chief Editor of "NASH Mahiliou" newspaper Ihar Barysau. As stated by the police major Uladzimir Kazakou, the others are still under examination and can be returned within the next two weeks.

So far the police have not returned the journalist his notebook and modem, whose confiscation is devoid of any sense.

“I have read the order for examination. Now everything fell into its place: I saw what the police were looking for in my computer. The list dotted the "i"s and now there is no doubt that my case has an ordered and political nature,” says Ihar Barysau.

The chief editor notes that the police were allegedly looking for evidence of his involvement in the writing and publication at the website of the article about the manager of the JSC “Stuzhka” who had allegedly lost his apartment and a part of his company's shares at a casino. Apart from that, the police conducted carried out checks according to following keywords: contract, project, receipt, report, application, grant, protocol, meeting, Viasna.

“I have twice refused to give any explanations, citing my constitutional right not to give any evidence against myself and my family. I once again declare that I have nothing to do with the writing and publication of this article,” stated Ihar Barysau.

Let us remind that on March 12 four police officers, accompanied by two witnesses, came to the private apartment of Mr. Barysau. They showed a warrant of the Mahiliou prosecutor Vulvach for inspecting the apartment. The alleged reason was the appeal of the manager of the JSC “Stuzhka” Siarhei Piatrou, who asked to punish false information about him at the website of the independent newspaper “NASH Mahiliou”. At present the police continue their inspection. No criminal case has been instigated against the journalist.

The same day, the same policemen visited Mahiliou office of the Human Rights Center "Viasna", from which they also seized three computers.

It should be noted that Ihar Barysau is the deputy chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) and believes that the visit the policemen is related not only to his journalistic activities, but also to the political ones on the eve of the presidential election.

It is worth adding that the examination of one computer by police experts costs tax payers more than 5 million Belarusin roubles.