Valer Shchukin had heart attack during his detention
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9:48, — Politics
Militiamen detained a circulation of newspaper “Vitsebski Kuryer M” on the outskirts of Vitebsk at 8.00pm on 25 April. During the detention militiamen attacked human rights activist Valer Shchukin. He felt bad during the clash.
As it was found out, a bus from Smolensk, carrying the newspapers to Vitsebsk, was escorted by a militia car. As the bus stopped in the city, militiamen rushed to confiscate the newspaper. According to eyewitnesses, it looked brutal. Valer Shchukin’s bag was torn down. He suddenly felt bad in the clash. An emergency ambulance had to take the famous human rights activist and journalist to the 2nd city hospital. He is now in the heart disease department, he is suffering high blood pressure and a heart attack, "radio Racyja" reports.
The bigger part of the circulation was taken to the Kastrychnitski district militia department. The rest newspapers, carried in the car of Aleh Barshcheuski, who works for the newspaper, was seized by traffic militia officer in the city.
All copies of the edition were counted in the militia department, their number answered the pointed circulation.
According to the editorial staff, militiamen are drawing a report on the second part of the article 22.9 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Belarus, which provides punishment for “violation of the order of delivering the necessary free copies of the periodical edition, spreading of erotic editions, and delivering without imprints.” The editorial staff didn’t commit any of these violations.
“Vitsebski Kuryer M” wasn’t published for some months due to hindering of the local authorities. Though the editorial staff has an office, it is denied legal address. The first after a pause circulation of the newspaper was arrested.
