Sovetskaya Belorussia's drivel about CIA spies

The authorities continue their attempts to discredit political prisoner Andrei Haidukou.

The newspaper Sovetskaya Belorussia published a provocative article about him. The mouthpiece of Lukashenka's administration cites a “letter for the CIA” allegedly passed by Andrei Haidukou through his friend, who went to Germany. The article says the CIA received the letter, but refused to established contacts with the Belarusian.

“Human rights and provisions of the Constitution are being systematically violated in Belarus making it impossible to establish democracy. Actions by the opposition have little effect. The opposition is defeated; citizens don't trust famous leaders who ineffectively and inappropriately use the financial aid from Europe and the US given to fight against the dictatorship and promote democracy,” the “letter” reads.

The authors of the letter cited by the newspaper say the ways to solve the problems are “to train young leaders, carry out information political campaigns and spread legal knowledge among citizens”.

“The cooperation with you relates to information political actions. We have few actions only in some regions today. We have our own vision of the situation. We are working over a concept of holding information political actions. We'd like to consult with you and receive your advice on the issue and financial aid in case our activity is interesting for you,” Sovetskaya Belorussia quotes the “letter”.

It's not the first attempt to discredit Andrei Haidukou. Some months ago, media published an interview with Aliaksandr Sidarovich, a deputy prosecutor for the Vitebsk region, who expressed an official point of view on the process. Human rights activists criticised him and pointed to a number of inconsistencies.

On July 1, 2013, Andrei Haidukou was found guilty of violating part 1 of article 14 and article 356-1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (attempts to establish contacts with special services, security bodies or intelligence agencies of a foreign state) and sentenced to 1.5 years in prison.

The verdict was pronounced by the Vitebsk regional court.

The trial of the activist from Navapolatsk was held behind closed doors. The worker of Naftan plant, 23, was initially charged with violating part 1 of article 14 (attempted crime) and part 1 of article 356 (treason).

According to the official statement of the KGB press service, Andrei Haidukou was detained in Vitesbk as he was “installing a dead drop with the information interesting for foreign secret services”.

Haidukou's family and friends do not believe he is involved in spying. They explain pressure from the KGB by pro-opposition views of the young man and his plans to open international NGO “Union of Young Intellectuals” in Navapolatsk.