BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

18/07/2007

Belarusian PresidentT Sacks KGB Chief

President Alyaksandr Lukashenka on July 17 dismissed Stsyapan Sukharenka as chairman of the State Security Committee (KGB) and Vasil Dzemyantsey as KGB first deputy chairman, Belarusian media reported. The presidential press service said Sukharenka and Dzemyantsey were dismissed "in connection with their transfer to other jobs." Sukharenka assumed the post of KGB chief in December 2005. During the presidential election campaign in 2006 and shortly afterward, Sukharenka became known for his heavy-handedness in dealing with opposition protests and activists, whom he publicly denounced as terrorists. Sukharenka's job was given to Yury Zhadobin, who was head of the presidential protection service until his new assignment. JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/07/3-cee/cee-180707.asp