Natalia Radzina punched in face, Charter'97 computers confiscated

Security agents today searched the apartment of Natalia Radzina who edits the web site of the Charter'97 opposition group and confiscated 8 computers.

Natalia told ERB correspondent that the police agents were very aggressive as if they had planned to storm the premises and used force against the journalist.

Natalia Radzina: “I can barely see with my right eye. I was just coming back from outside, approaching the open doors when I saw them running down from the third floor. I dashed to the door in order to close but there were five people in plain clothes running! When I tried to close the door, I was pushed aside and punched in the face”.



Some 10 agents searched the apartment, but only one presented his police ID.

Natalia Radzina: “The ID was showed by one man only -- Chuy Alexander Viktaravich, an investigator from Leninski District Police Department. The rest refused to present their IDs and identified themselves as police captains”.

She said the agents showed a search warrant issued by Homel Prosecutor Valiantsina Shayeva on the grounds of the 'hunting case'.

Natalia Radzina: “They said the computers had to be confiscated to search for information regarding the slander case against former Homel KGB chief Ivan Korzh”.



Natalia Radzina says the search has nothing to do with the 'Korzh case'. The attack has taken place after Charter'97 leader and former deputy foreign minister Andrei Sannikov said he announced his decision to run for presidency in 2011, she said.

Natalia Radzina maintains that the computers were confiscated in violation of the law.

Natalia Radzina: “They did not note the serial numbers of the seized computers. They simply packed them into a dust bag and sealed (by the investigator).

Photo: Zmitser Lukashuk