Business association leader Šumčanka arrested

November 22, BPN. Police have arrested Anatol Šumčanka, leader of the Perspektiva business association shut down by the authorities, Narodnaja Vola reported.

On November 21, Šumčanka went to Baranavičy, Brest region, for questioning as a witness and was placed into custody, it said. Before the trip, he told journalists that he was “preparing for the worst.”

Last week, police searched Šumčanka’s home, seizing his computer and smartphone.

It is unclear whether he has been charged.

Perspektiva defended the rights of small traders for 19 years. Its regular forums attracted up to several thousand participants, including top officials.

In July 2021, the Investigative Committee froze about 24,000 rubels in the association’s bank account. A few months later, the Supreme Court upheld the suit by the justice ministry to shut down the business association.