UNO Again Interested in Zakharenka Case :: Charter'97 :: News

The Un Commission on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance resumed its interest in the former interior minister Yuri Zakharenka case who had disappeared in 1999.A couple of days ago a corresponding UNO claim was received by advocate of the Zkharenkas’ lawyer Aleg Vouchak. According to him, the UN Commission is to gather at its extraordinary meeting for considering the record of investigations of the disappeared policymakers’ cases in Belarus. The Commission is eager to learn the viewpoints of all the sides involved in the process.

Aleg Vouchak told the Radio Svaboda “The UN commission informed me of the answer given by the foreign ministry of Belarus regarding Yuri Zakharenka case investigation. They wrote to the UNO that”the investigation is continued but the kidnappers have not been found, yet”. The Commission wants to learn our viewpoint either.

Our reply concerning the investigation is certain to be critical. We consider that there haven’t been any investigation actions at all .For instance, we suggested interrogating the people who had been mentioned by different sources among the suspects. Firstly, commander-in-chief of the special regiment Zmitser Pauliuchenka and state secretary of the Security Council Viktar Sheiman. But it has never been done.

Though formally the investigation has been extended until 24 September there haven’t been any true investigation actions on Yuri Zakharenka case. The Zakharenkas are definite to inform the UN Commission of that.

Investigator of the prosecutor’s office Syargei Kukharenka who is in charge of the Zakharenka case continues to refuse contacts with journalists. 29 August he told the Radio Svaboda correspondent that “he was not responsible to talk on the subject”.