D.Zavasdky is Discharger (September 8, 1997)

On the 4th of September 1997 operator of the Belorussian department of the Russian Public TV D.Zavadsky who had been accused of illegal international crossing the State Border of the Republic of Belarus and taken into custody appealed to the President of Belarus A.G. Lukashenko with the declaration where he expressed his regret about what had happened, conviction that his actions will not perfect friendly relations between Russian and Belorussian peoples, and he asked to change the cutting-off measure for a written undertaking not to leave the place.

Having considered Zavadsky's declaration the President charged to KGB administration to study the possibility of changing the cutting-off measure and make the decision according to the law.

In the Republic of Belarus KGB all the criminal case materials according to which Zavadsky has been taken into custody. Taking into account the investigation evidence of Zavadsky's real role in the committed crime, his marital status & other circumstances, the preliminary inquest states that there is no need in further keeping him under arrest. According the investigator has passed resolution on the basis of Article 98 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus to change the cutting off measure for a written undertaking not to leave the place. He has been discharged. Moreover it has been taking into consideration that this decision will not have effect on the thorough detailed and objective investigation.

Thus all Russian as well as Belarussian journalists against whom the proceedings were instituted as a result of violating of the State Boarder of Belarus have been discharged. As for P.S.Sheremet, on the moment of commiting the crime he had been deprived of accreditation as a ORT journalist according to the republic working laws, that’s why his actions in this capacity were illegal.

Center of Information & Public Communication KGB of the Republic of Belarus.

Translated by Veronica Sai. Please send mail about the quality of translation.