BAJ Demands to Unveil Circumstances of Detention of a Military Observer
Belarusian Association of Journalists and the human rights center Viasna call on the KGB to inform the public about the reason and the place of detention of Aliaksandr Alesin, the Belorusy I Rynok journalist, military observer and BAJ member, and about the charges brought against him.
The joint statement was approved by leaders of both the organizations and published on Viasna website. “We suppose that the information about detention, arrest, essence of suspicions and charges, the procedural status, the place of detention and other aspects not related to details of criminal investigation, cannot breach secrecy of investigation protected by law and cannot threaten state interests and public order,” says the statement.
According to BelaPAN, the military observer of Belorusy I Rynok weekly was detained by special services on November 25. On November 5, the ten days’ term of detention is over. According to unofficial sources, he’s been accused of espionage, reports the agency.
The KGB refused to comment the situation.
Reference note:
Aliaksandr Alesin works as an observer for Belorusy I Rynok weekly, specializes in economy, military issues. He is the receiver of the Grand Prix of the Golden Pen for journalists covering automobile topics in business and national media (2008).