Pro-democracy activists Ilya Bogdanov and Andrey Gaidukov were arrested on November 8 and brought to the KGB detention center in Minsk, BCD coordinator Tatsyana Sevyarynets told UDF.BY
According to Ms. Sevyarynets, Mr. Bogdanov, a member of Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD), was released after being kept in the detention center. He was given a cognizance not to leave Belarus and that of nondisclosure. His home was searched. Mr. Gaidukov, BCD advocate, who was arrested in Vitsebsk, is still being kept in the KGB jail. He is formally charged with "high treason" under Article 356 of the Criminal Code.
Ms. Sevyarynets noted that she was very surprised with the Article Mr. Gaidukov is charged under. "I would understand if they were 'significant members' of BCD, but Andrey is a simple worker of Naftan [oil refinery in Navapolatsk], 20-years old guy. What kind of state secrets he could know?! I can't believe in it," she said.
According to the Belarusian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the KGB suspects Mr. Gaidukov of intending to enter into an agreement on cooperation with foreign intelligence services.
Ms. Sevyarynets told that parents of Mr Gaidukov had conveyed a parcel to him. Human rights activists have already started to examine his case. The BCD coordinator is going to ask for legal assistance of Vyasna Human Rights Center.
