Security officers arrest independent newspaper Belorusy i Rynok executives

May 18, BPN. The Committee for State Security (KGB) has arrested Kanstancin Zalatych, editorial director of the independent newspaper Belorusy i Rynok, and Julija Kachno, its accountant, in the early morning of May 18, Euroradio reported with reference to Zalatych’s wife.

According to her, Zalatych is suspected of inciting hatred. The police seized his laptop and cell phones.

Founded in 1990, Belorusy i Rynok is one of the oldest privately owned newspapers in Belarus, covering economic and political news and published once a month. It was the last independent print media in the country covering social and political issues.

Zalatych was arrested on the first anniversary of a government crackdown on tut.by, Belarus’ largest independent media organization.