BNTU student locked in dean's office to be recruited

KGB officers tried to recruit an activist of Food not Bombs campaign in the dean's office.

KGB agents visited the activist of Food not Bombs campaign, who was detained as he was serving free meals near the Uskhod metro station in Minsk on January 15, at the Belarusian National Technical University(BNTU) and offered collaboration, Viansa human rights centre does not reveal the name of the activist for safety reasons.  

The conversation between the KGB agents and the activist was held in the dean's office on February 13. A deputy dean phoned the five year student to visit the dean's office to give explanations why he had been detained by police. The deputy dean said it was a “mere formality”.

The students saw two unknown men in suits in the dean's office. The deputy dean went out leaving the student to give explanations to them. The men asked the guy about his civil activity. They refused to  introduce themselves and only said they worked for the KGB. They threatened the student with army and the so called compulsory employment (when a graduate has to work two years in a place chosen by university).

The young man refused to talk to unknown people and wanted to go out of the office, but found the door locked. After a number of questions, to which the activists refused to answer, the deputy dean opened to door from the outside.

The activists faced interest to him again after he had been detained at Food not Bomb concert in Yo-Moyo club on March 24. KGB officers tried to press on the activist through his father from March 26 to March 31, but the latter said his son would not collaborate even under threat of being expelled from university.

On March 29, the student gave a written explanation regarding the new detention. The deputy dean demanded the activist to sign a document promising “not to take part in political and public activity”, but said later it was not necessary.