BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

03/06/2007

KGB of Belarus would not disclose names of people arrested in Belnaftakhim head's case

The Committee for State Security (KGB) of Belarus would not disclose the names of people arrested together with Alexander Barovsky, chairman of the Belarusian State Petrochemical Industry Concern (Belnaftakhim), on May 29, KGB of Belarus spokesman Valery Nadtachayev is cited by BelaPAN news agency. He said that keeping the names secret was in the "interests of the investigation."

AIA already reported about Barovsky's detention; he is reportedly suspected of corruption and abuse of office. Nadtachayew said that Barovski had not yet been charged and the law gave 10 days to bring charges against a suspect held in custody, noting that in some cases, it provided for the longer detention of a suspect. The press office of Belnaftakhim refused to comment to BelaPAN on the case.

According to Miklashevich, the suspects are currently held in the KGB pretrial detention center. Large amounts of cash, valuables and papers related to the investigation were reportedly seized from them.

Miklashevich also said that the arrests were a "result of active joint actions by law-enforcement agencies that are required by the law on corruption to lead the prevention of and fight against corruption." "In April, we held a joint coordination meeting between the chiefs of the interior ministry, the KGB and the Prosecutor General's Office at which we identified a set of measures, and we will be joining efforts to detect and prevent all corruption crimes irrespective of ranks and offices," BelaPAN cites him.

Source:

http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=1318