Police searching office of Vyasna in Mahiliou

Mahiliou office of human rights organization Vyasna is in an ordinary apartment. Around 13:00 on March 12, police officers came to the apartment and are currently carrying out an inspection and search of the premises.

"I have information that it has to do with the morning searches at Mahiliou journalist' Ihar Barysau," said human rights activist Alyaxei Kolchyn to Euroradio.

Search in Ihar Barysau's apartment was conducted in the morning on March 12. Policemen came around 9:00. As a result, they seized three computers and a modem. Barysau is suspected of libel. The reason for this was the complaint of the General Director of the local enterprise Stuzhka (Tape). The site Nash Mahiliou (Our Mahiliou) edited by Ihar Barysau, featured unverified reports that this big local manager allegedly enjoys playing in the casino and spending not only his own money. Director general was not satisfied with this information and he turned to the police.

It is not yet clear, how Barysau's publication may be related to the activities of the human rights defenders. Vyasna, with its headquarters in Minsk, has offices in most major cities of the country.